Gary Lineker steps down as Sports Personality host

Gary Lineker has stepped down arsenic co-presenter of the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year, pursuing the quality that helium volition permission Match of the Day, the corp has confirmed.

The yearly ceremonial recognises the UK-based sportsperson who has had the year's astir notable achievements - chosen by a nationalist vote.

A BBC spokesperson said connected Wednesday: "After 23 years, past year's 70th day was his last show."

Lineker's last quality saw him contiguous alongside Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott, with England goalkeeper Mary Earps crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023.

Lineker's determination to measurement backmost comes a time aft it was confirmed that helium volition halt hosting the BBC's long-running shot highlights amusement Match of the Day at the extremity of the existent season.

However, the 63-year-old has signed a declaration hold with the BBC done to the 2026 men's World Cup, and volition besides beforehand the corporation's sum of adjacent season's FA Cup.

• Who could regenerate Lineker connected Match of the Day?
• How Gary Lineker went from shot sensation to BBC star

The erstwhile England striker-turned-broadcaster volition besides proceed with the MOTD Top Ten podcast, and his fashionable The Rest is Football podcast volition present beryllium hosted connected BBC Sounds.

The podcast features Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards discussing the latest shot quality on with stories from their careers, and is portion of Goalhanger productions, co-founded by Lineker.

In a connection connected Tuesday, Lineker said: "I'm delighted to proceed my agelong relation with BBC Sport and would similar to convey each those who made this happen."