Gary Lineker is set to leave the BBC after 26 years, with his final Match of the Day appearance scheduled for this Sunday.
The former England striker’s departure comes following an anti-Semitism row that erupted last week.
According to a source who, spoke to The Sun, “It is a heartbreaking end to an extraordinary broadcasting career.”
Lineker, 64, is leaving by mutual agreement after meeting with BBC bosses, where he acknowledged his position had become untenable.
The controversy began when Lineker shared a post from the group Palestine Lobby on Instagram with his 1.2 million followers on Tuesday. The repost, which he later deleted, contained a video criticising Zionism and included an illustration of a rat.
This led to widespread calls for the BBC to drop the presenter, with the charity Campaign Against Antisemitism stating they were submitting a complaint to the corporation.
Lineker apologised for the post five days before news of his departure broke, expressing regret about how it was interpreted.
The presenter reportedly met with BBC bosses last week where it was agreed he would step down.
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A source told the newspaper: “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.”
The source added that Lineker “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.”
Despite having been scheduled to host the BBC’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup, Lineker will now not be part of the corporation’s presenting team for the tournament.
His early departure from the broadcaster means he will bow out after his final Match of the Day appearance this Sunday.
The source explained that Lineker “remains absolutely devastated by the recent turn of events and is deeply regretful about how his post was interpreted.”
Lineker has been the BBC’s highest-paid presenter, earning £1.35 million a year during his lengthy tenure with the broadcaster.
His final years hosting Match of the Day have been marked by outspoken views and fallouts with BBC management.
He previously came close to being axed in 2023 when he compared the Conservative Government to ’30s Germany’.
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Following his departure, Lineker is expected to focus on his successful Goalhanger Podcasts business.
The former Tottenham, Everton and Leicester City striker’s exit brings to an end a broadcasting career spanning more than a quarter of a century at the corporation.
Those close to Lineker said his departure means he will be able to express himself more freely.
“Gary remains passionate about speaking out over perceived injustices in the world, and will continue to call out things that he believes to be wrong,” they stated.
“He will be able to speak without the shackles of the non-partisan BBC, and has already had a lot of TV offers to mull over.
“And, of course, he will be cheering on England like any other fan next summer.”