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Tom Bellwood

Gary Lineker wins best presenter prize at National Television Awards despite acrimonious divorce from BBC in Match of the Day exit

Gary Lineker has won the top presenter prize at the National Television Awards, just months after his 26-year spell as host of Match of the Day ended.

  • Lineker won top award at the NTAs
  • Beat duo Ant and Dec to the gong
  • Used acceptance to speak about 'those without voices'
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Lineker won one of the most high-profile prizes at this year's NTAs, where he beat comedy ITV duo Ant and Dec, who had taken the award an incredible 23 years in a row. The former Barcelona, Tottenham and Everton striker had hosted Match of the Day for 26 years, before leaving the BBC earlier this year. 

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  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Lineker's 26-year tenure as the host of the BBC's flagship football program ended following a period of increasing tension over his social media activity and adherence to the broadcaster's impartiality guidelines.

  • WHAT LINEKER SAID

    Lineker said: "Perhaps it shows sometimes it’s okay to use our platform to speak up on behalf of those who have no voice."

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    WHAT NEXT FOR LINEKER?

    Lineker has a successful podcast company called Goalhanger Podcasts which produces titles such as The Rest is Football, and he will be back on our TV screens next year as he hosts an ITV game show called The Box.