BBC presenter aims remarkable dig at Gary Lineker on live TV after Match of the Day exit confirmed
A BBC presenter has aimed a remarkable dig at Gary Lineker after it emerged the 63-year-old would be leaving the corporation in 2026.
The Beeb confirmed on Tuesday that the former England star would be departing his role as Match of the Day presenter once the current season is out of the way.
Lineker has penned an extension that will see him stay with the BBC until 2026.
He will spearhead their coverage of FA Cup matches in the 2025/26 season before then working on the next World Cup, which is due to take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The BBC have thanked Lineker for his years of service, with the 63-year-old previously replacing Des Lynham on MOTD back in 1999.
But Fleming has now raised eyebrows by aiming a brutal dig at the former footballer and the huge salary he receives.
Lineker is paid a huge £1.3million annually by the BBC, making him their best-paid presenter.
And Fleming, speaking on Politics Live, said: “I reckon we will not be having a whip round for the leaving present for Gary Lineker here at the BBC because he’s paid £1.3m a year so he can buy his own leaving present, thank you very much.”
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The BBC revealed earlier this year that Lineker was still their best-paid presenter.
He is believed to have taken a pay cut in order to stay with the broadcaster a little while longer, however.
Lineker has long made it clear that he loves presenting Match of the Day. Earlier this year, he said that he still enjoyed it despite working in the job for over a quarter of a century.
Yet the BBC have opted to part ways with the 63-year-old, with director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski eager to balance the books behind the scenes.
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Lineker’s outspokenness has also been an issue.
The ex-England, Tottenham, Barcelona and Leicester star has never been afraid to mince his words and, just last year, was taken off air after stinging criticism of the Conservative government.
Lineker later returned to hosting Match of the Day after the likes of Ian Wright and Alan Shearer rallied behind their close friend.
But he also raised eyebrows back in the summer when he referred to one England performance as ‘s**t’ during the European Championships out in Germany.
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When it comes to who may potentially replace Lineker, it’s currently unclear who the BBC will opt for.
Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott are three names under consideration. Jermaine Jenas, who had previously been seen as the frontrunner to take over, was axed by the BBC in August.
And Danny Murphy, who has often appeared on MOTD as a guest, has told talkSPORT that Chapman is the person who has his vote.
“I feel that they’ve got [a candidate],” said the former Liverpool and Fulham star.
“Mark Chapman, who I work with a lot on Sundays. I think he’s a brilliant presenter and very, very knowledgeable on sport and football. Somebody who is ready-made for it.
“Whether he wants it or not, I don’t know. That’s a different question, you’d have to ask him.
“But he would be the glaring, obvious choice for me.”
