Gary Lineker: BBC ‘proving they aren’t scared’ of MOTD host by axing him after 25-year stint
The BBC are “no longer scared” of Gary Lineker by deciding not to renew his contract for Match of the Day, it has been claimed.
Broadcaster Carole Malone delivered a scathing response to news of Lineker’s departure, declaring “good riddance” on GB News.
She questioned whether Lineker was actually choosing to leave, noting that the BBC had not agreed to renew his contract in October.
“The guy’s been nothing but trouble for them for the last five years,” Malone said.
She pointed out that Lineker had previously denied leaving in October, but his departure has now been confirmed. The broadcaster took aim at Lineker’s £1.3million salary as the BBC’s highest-paid presenter.
“I’m not denigrating football punditry, but I’m not sure anyone’s worth £1.3million of licence payer’s money,” she stated.
Malone criticised Lineker’s history of sharing personal opinions while at the BBC.
She described his political views as “very naive and very stupid,” suggesting they had brought “huge controversy” to the state broadcaster.
Malone suggested the BBC’s stance towards Lineker has significantly shifted.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Gary Lineker breaks silence on Match of the Day exit as leaked BBC email proven correctGary Lineker agrees new BBC contract as plans confirmed ahead of Match of the Day exitLineker defended by Eamonn Holmes as he blasts BBC for ‘personal vendetta’
“The BBC seemed to be scared of him. Now, I think they’ve proved they’re not scared and they’ve not renewed his contract,” she told GB News.
The 63-year-old presenter, who has hosted the flagship football programme since 1999, will sign an 18-month extension to his current deal.
This extension will take him through to the next World Cup, to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
By the time of his departure, Lineker will have been at the helm of Match of the Day for nearly three decades.
According to The Sun, Lineker “absolutely adores Match of the Day” but wants to leave on a high, particularly if England win the World Cup.
The move comes amid reports that BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski has been keen to revamp the programme with fresh faces.
A source told The Sun that negotiations had been ongoing for six weeks before a deal was finally struck.
The departure will allow Lineker to focus on his other ventures, including his Goalhanger podcasting business, which is reportedly growing in the American market.
