For the first time in 23 years, sporting legend Gary Lineker will not be presenting Sports Personality of the Year. Instead, Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott will host the show in an all-female line-up.
Gary is one of the UK’s most famous sports pundits after a successful football career. He began presenting Sports Personality of the Year in 1999 however in November 2024 it was announced he would not be presenting any more of the award ceremonies.
It was also announced he would be leaving BBC’s flagship football show Match of the Day at the end of the 2024 season, having also begun presenting MOTD in 1999. The 64-year-old is set to continue to front the BBC’s coverage of the FA Cup until the end of the 2025/26 season and will work on the 2026 World Cup.
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Gary is currently the highest-paid BBC presenter and has been for the past seven years in a row. Speaking about leaving Match of the Day on his podcast, The Rest is Football, Gary said: “It has been an absolute joy and privilege to present such an iconic show for the BBC, but all things have to come to an end.
“It came at a point where really the BBC and Match of the Day, they’ve got the rights for another three years, the cycle starts from next season so it felt like if I just do one more year it would be a bit weird. I bowed out in my football career when I felt it was the right time. I feel this is now the right time.
“I think the next contract they’re looking to do Match of the Day slightly differently, so I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm.” It has been reported that Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates will take over from Gary and share presenting MOTD. You can read more, here.
Sports Personality of the Year 2024 airs on BBC One on Tuesday, December 17 at 7pm. For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter.