The former England striker, who played for Leicester City, Everton, Tottenham and Barcelona during his football career announced last November he was stepping down as host of Match of the Day (MOTD) at the end of the season.
Likener has hosted Match Of The Day since 1999, when he took over from Des Lynam.
Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will replace the former England stiker on MOTD from next season.
However, the 64-year-old said he would carry on working with the BBC until the end of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Gary Lineker to leave the BBC ahead of 2026 World Cup
It has now been reported that Lineker is set to quit the BBC on Monday (May 19), still more than a year out from the 2026 World Cup (which will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026).
According to the broadcaster, an announcement on Lineker’s departure is expected on Monday amid reports that the BBC’s bosses now consider his position “untenable”.
A source, speaking to The Sun, said: “It is a heartbreaking end to an extraordinary broadcasting career.”
Lineker’s departure comes after he “apologised unreservedly” for sharing and then deleting a post on his Instagram account from the group Palestine Lobby, illustrated with a picture of a rat, which prompted calls for him to be sacked from the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA).
Lineker led the BBC’s coverage of the FA Cup final on Saturday (May 17), which saw Crystal Palace beat Manchester City 1-0.
He is also still expected to host his final MOTD show on Sunday (May 25), according to The Sun, but will not be a part of the BBC’s World Cup coverage in 2026.
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The source added: “Gary acknowledged his position at the BBC, anchoring the most prestigious tournament in world football, was untenable, and he will not be hosting the World Cup.
“He offered to step down at the end of the season, and did not want the BBC — an organisation he still holds in the highest of esteem — dragged into any further controversy.
“He remains absolutely devastated by the recent turn of events and is deeply regretful about how his post was interpreted.
“His last Match of the Day will air on Sunday now and he won’t be back.”
The BBC has been contacted for comment.
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Lineker was temporarily suspended from the BBC in March 2023 after an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the then Government’s new asylum policy.
He was also among 500 other high-profile figures who signed an open letter in February urging the BBC to rebroadcast a documentary, Gaza: How To Survive A War Zone, to BBC iPlayer.
The presenter has been the BBC’s highest-paid on-air talent for seven consecutive years and was estimated to have earned £1.35 million in the year 2023-24, according to the corporation’s annual report published in July last year.
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