VIDEO: 'Time to say goodbye' - Emotional Gary Lineker ends 25-year run as Match of the Day presenter in tears as ex-England international severs ties with the BBC

It has been confirmed that the former England international will be severing ties with the BBC after walking away from the final year of his lucrative contract on the back of a social media misstep where he shared an antisemitic image on his Instagram story, which was later deleted. Lineker has insisted it was accidental.

He had been due to spend another year with the BBC, taking him through FA Cup and World Cup coverage in 2025-26. The 64-year-old - who has already moved into the world of podcasts - is now readying himself for a fresh start.

It had previously been confirmed that Lineker would be leaving MOTD at the end of the 2024-25 season, with his final show in that chair seeing him joined by Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. Tribute messages were received from ex-players and former team-mates such as Ian Wright, Paul Gascoigne and Peter Shilton.

When signing off for the final time, Lineker struggled to keep his emotions in check, with tears finally flowing as the credits rolled on an iconic Premier League highlights show. Lineker said in his last piece to camera: "Let me take this opportunity to thank all of the other pundits that I have had the pleasure of working with over the last 25 years. You have made my job so much easier.

"Also, a huge thank you to those that you don’t see at home - the work that goes into making this iconic show is a huge team effort. From the editors to the analysis team, from the commentators to the floor managers, from the producers to the camera operators, from the PAs to subs, thank you all, you are the very best. Rather like my football career, everyone else did all the hard work and I got the plaudits."

Ex-Leicester, Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham striker Lineker added: "It’s been an absolute privilege to have hosted Match of the Day for a quarter of a century. It has been utterly joyous. I’d like to wish Gabby, Mark and Kelly all the very best when they sit in this chair. The programme is in the best of hands.

"And my final thank you goes to all of you - thank you for watching. Thank you for all of your love and support over the years, it has been so special and I’m sorry that your team was always on last! Time to say goodbye. Goodbye."

Lineker is preparing to pass the Match of the Day presenting baton on to Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates. They will be taking over in 2025-26 as a new era for BBC Sport begins.