Why is Gary Lineker not presenting Match of the Day tonight? Host absent from show after being ‘silenced’

As fans settle down to watch Match of the Day on Saturday, they will quickly realise that Gary Lineker is not hosting the programme. 

The iconic presenter is the face of MOTD but he is set to be absent this weekend for the famous Premier League highlights show. 

Lineker announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he will be watching from home due to being ‘silenced’…

But it’s not as sinister as it sounds as he then confirmed that he has in fact been silenced due to a cold. 

He wrote: “Some good news for some: I’ve been silenced….with a rotten cold that seems to be lasting forever. Hate missing hosting @BBCMOTD but I’ll be watching.”

The former Tottenham, Leicester and Barcelona striker has hosted the show since 1999 and is a staple of the BBC’s football coverage. 

He won’t be part of Saturday night's show though as the highlights of Manchester City vs Everton, Liverpool vs Burnley, Tottenham vs Brighton and all others will be broadcast. 

Match of the Day will begin at 10:30pm on BBC One with Lineker’s place taken over.

Well-known broadcaster Mark Chapman, who usually presents Match of the Day 2 every Sunday, will lead the programme instead.

Chapman has presented MOTD’s secondary show for over a decade and is usually the first backup option should Lineker be unable to present.