Gary Lineker is reportedly expected to announce he will leave the BBC on Monday.
His final show will be next Sunday’s Match of the Day and he will not present the broadcaster’s coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Getty Images – GettyLineker will depart the BBC earlier than scheduled[/caption]
The Sun reports Lineker will bring an early end to his BBC tenure via mutual agreement, days after he apologised for sharing a post which led to accusations of anti-semitism.
“It is a heartbreaking end to an extraordinary broadcasting career,” a source told the publication.
Lineker came under fire for re-sharing a pro-Gaza video which likened supporters of Israel to rats.
The image of rats has historically been used as part of anti-semitic propaganda, including in Nazi Germany during the 1930s.
The post was soon deleted but not before it was widely viewed and sparked calls for the BBC to part ways with Lineker.
The 64-year-old issued an apology the following day and said: “On Instagram I re-posted material which I have since learned contained offensive references.
“I very much regret these references. I would never knowingly share anything anti-semitic. It goes against everything I believe in.
“The post was removed as soon as I became aware of the issue.
“Whilst I strongly believe in the importance of speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, I also know that how we do so matters.
“I take full responsibility for this mistake. That image does not reflect my views.”
But Lineker has now taken the step of leaving his position earlier than scheduled.
A source told The Sun: “Gary acknowledged his position at the BBC, anchoring the most prestigious tournament in world football, was untenable, and he will not be hosting the World Cup.
“He offered to step down at the end of the season, and did not want the BBC — an organisation he still holds in the highest of esteem — dragged into any further controversy.
“He remains absolutely devastated by the recent turn of events and is deeply regretful about how his post was interpreted.
“His last Match of the Day will air on Sunday now and he won’t be back.”
It was announced last October Lineker would depart flagship show Match of the Day at the end of the 2024/25 season.
The former England international had presented the highlights show since 1999.
In the announcement, it was revealed Lineker would remain part of the BBC’s football coverage for a further 18 months before cutting all ties with the broadcaster.
He had agreed a contract extension to stay on and present next season’s FA Cup coverage along with the 2026 World Cup.
But that will be no longer following the expected announcement on Monday.
Lineker’s future at the BBC was a hot topic earlier in the season given his contract was due to expire at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
The 64-year-old also commanded a salary more than £1.3million-a-year at the BBC, the broadcaster’s highest declared salary for a presenter.
Lineker had previously come under fire for his social media usage.
In March last year, Lineker was briefly suspended from hosting Match of the Day after a Twitter post about the British government’s asylum policy prompted a row about BBC presenters expressing political views on social media.
Lineker’s fellow presenters and pundits, including Alan Shearer and Ian Wright, refused to appear on the show in solidarity with Lineker and it was reduced to a 20-minute highlights package, which contained no hosts, pundits or commentary.
The ex-Everton, Leicester, Barcelona and Tottenham star was reinstated to the programme just over a week later.
The 64-year-old replaced Des Lynam in the MOTD role in 1999 after moving into punditry and presenting following his playing career.
