BBC’s Highest Paid Presenter Gary Lineker Jokes About His Rumoured Exit Live On Air

The BBC’s highest paid presenter Gary Lineker opened the sporting highlights show Match of the Day Saturday night, telling viewers: “It’s my last show…”

… then continued: “… before the international break.” 

Lineker was referencing intense speculation that the BBC were seeking to terminate his contract before its expiry mid-2025. Several media reported that an email had been leaked by the BBC’s sports chief, thanking Lineker for his service after 25 years hosting the show. 

The Sun newspaper reports that the BBC has refused to say the email is a fake, that Lineker is in talks with BBC executives about his future, quoting sources at the broadcaster saying it’s “business as usual” in the meantime. 

There is also talk of the presenter taking a substantial pay cut to continue his role with the BBC, which continues to have to make cuts across the board in line with the plateaued licence fee and intense competition from other broadcasters and streaming platforms. 

The BBC quotes one source close to Lineker saying: “Gary has long maintained that the BBC provides excellent value for money – and has quite literally put his money where his mouth is, and offered to take a substantial pay cut.”