Beloved host Garry was tearful as he said goodbye to the MOTD audience on Sunday night
GARY Lineker ended his Match of the Day career last night — as details emerged of his parting shot at his BBC boss.
The former England football captain, 64, began his final show with a quip about his telly departure
7
Gary Lineker was emotional as he said goodbye to the MOTD audience
7
Gary Lineker arrives to present his final Match of the DayCredit: MCPIX
7
Lineker was seen to snub his boss Alex Kay-Jelski and made remarks about him in earshot of staff, it was claimedCredit: BBC
It came after he recently left colleagues in no doubt about his feelings on BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski.
He was seen to snub his boss and made remarks about him which were described as “blunt”.
Once cameras began rolling on his final MOTD appearance, Gary used his opening line to aim a cheeky dig at the Beeb.
He said: “It wasn’t meant to end this way.”
The legendary striker then continued: “But with the title race over and the relegation places confirmed, the Champions League was all we had left to talk about.”
TV frontman Gary then became emotional as he said goodbye to the MOTD audience after a host of former teammates and colleagues paid tribute in a video package.
He said: “Let me thank for all the people I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the 25 years…
“Thank you for all the people on the show you don’t see.. Thank you all.
“Rather like my football career, everyone else did the hard work.”
He began his role on the highlights show in 1999 alongside Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson and had been due to anchor the BBC’s World Cup coverage next year.
But he took the decision to quit the corporation altogether after he was blasted for reposting a video on social media which criticised Zionism with a picture of a rat — used as an insult to Jews by the Nazis.
He has repeatedly apologised.
Co-stars and close pals Micah Richards and Alan Shearer were also seen arriving at the MediaCity studios in Salford.
Insiders said there was no love lost between Gary and his boss Alex, who took over the top job at BBC Sport from Barbara Slater last April.
A source said: “By the end of Gary’s tenure at BBC Sport he didn’t have much time for Alex.
“When he was working on the FA Cup final, just two days before he quit, Alex came over to where Gary was and he just walked off without a word.
“He made a couple of remarks about Alex in earshot of people working around them. It’s clear there’s no love lost.
“Gary is really well liked and there are plenty of people who joked that they agreed with what he said.”
Gary Lineker apologises for antisemitic post and confirms he’s quitting BBC next week
7
Gary tried to hold back tears as he signed off for the last timeCredit: BBC
7
Lineker with Alan Hansen and Mark LawrensonCredit: BBC
7
Alan Shearer was snapped as he arrived at the studiosCredit: Zenpix
7
Micah Richards arrives for the showCredit: Zenpix
News
You Picked the Wrong Woman” — Karoline Leavitt Silences a Cocky Ex-NFL Star Live on Air, and the Internet Can’t Get Enough
The moment was electric — the kind of live TV where you just know something unforgettable is about to happen….
‘It was absolutely te:rrif:ying” – Southwest passenger describes h0rr0r of plummeting mid-air as screams filled the cabin when pilot avoided cr:ash
A Southwest passenger aboard a flight that was forced to make an evasive maneuver to avoid a mid-air collision said screams…
What’s Next for Late-Night? Expert Breaks Silence After Shocking Cancellation of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
After the CBS network cancelled The Late Show With Stephen Colbert after three decades, one media expert has weighed in…
“I Know His True Face” – Ozzy Osbourne’s first wife decides to erase the rock star from her life as she reveals ha:unting secrets from their “HE:LLI:SH” past together
As the patriarch of reality TV show The Osbournes – presiding in potty-mouthed dysfunction over the family antics – he won a…
“I’LL NEVER FORGET THAT NIGHT” – Sharon Osbourne speaks through heartbreak as she recalls the moment Ozzy Osbourne brought another woman back to the h0tel — forgetting his own wife was already there
Ozzy Osbourne and his wife, Sharon Osbourne, once fondly recalled what happened when the Black Sabbath frontman picked up a…
Cameras Off, True Colors Revealed – What Stephen Mulhern Did Backstage at You Bet! Will Leave You Sh0cked
Another brand-new series of You Bet! is set to air on ITV with host Stephen Mulhern at the helm. And now, someone who managed…
End of content
No more pages to load
