The BBC’s highest paid presenter Gary Lineker opened the sporting highlights present Match of the Day Saturday evening, telling viewers: “It’s my final present…”

… then continued: “… earlier than the worldwide break.” 

Lineker was referencing intense hypothesis that the BBC had been searching for to terminate his contract earlier than its expiry mid-2025. A number of media reported that an e mail had been leaked by the BBC’s sports activities chief, thanking Lineker for his service after 25 years internet hosting the present. 

The Solar newspaper studies that the BBC has refused to say the e-mail is a pretend, that Lineker is in talks with BBC executives about his future, quoting sources on the broadcaster saying it’s “enterprise as standard” within the meantime. 

There may be additionally discuss of the presenter taking a considerable pay reduce to proceed his position with the BBC, which continues to need to make cuts throughout the board according to the plateaued licence charge and intense competitors from different broadcasters and streaming platforms. 

The BBC quotes one supply near Lineker saying: “Gary has lengthy maintained that the BBC supplies glorious worth for cash – and has fairly actually put his cash the place his mouth is, and supplied to take a considerable pay reduce.”