‘I never enjoyed presenting it,’ says Gary Lineker as he reveals it was his decision to leave show before BBC exit
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GARY LINEKER has revealed he "never really enjoyed" presenting one iconic show during his time at the BBC. The former England striker stepped away from his hosting roles on Match of the Day and Sports Personality of the Year last month. Lineker announced he would leave the MOTD hot seat after 25 years.
![[Gary Lineker left his role as host of Match of the Day last month]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/bbc-match-day-presenter-gary-917485714.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
He will stay with the Beeb to front coverage of next season's FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup. The 64-year-old also quit his hosting duties on SPOTY, which he had fronted for the past 23 editions. Lineker claims his decision was based on the ceremony being moved to an independent production company.
![[The ex-Three Lions talisman has presented MOTD and SPOTY for over two decades]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/gary-lineker-attends-national-theatre-954416702_6d0ff6.jpg?strip=all&w=652)
And he dropped the bombshell that he had never really been comfortable hosting the iconic awards. Speaking in front of a live audience for podcast The Rest is Football, Lineker said: "Just to make it clear, what happened with Sports Personality of the Year is that it went to an independent production company.
![[Lineker has revealed he was never a fan of hosting Sport's Personality of the Year]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/according-bbc-spokesperson-corporation-said-948849538_587bdb.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"It was granted at the start of the year. Now, I saw that as an opportunity to get out of presenting Sports Personality. "It’s a great show, but it’s the one TV gig that I never really enjoyed.". FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS. Lineker added his former colleague Des Lynam "shared" the sentiment.
He continued: "It’s a very strange show to do. "Also, it’s the one thing where every single word that you say on it has to be agreed by all parties at the BBC. "Every single interview you do, you have to say what questions you’re going to ask. I mean, I like to ad-lib, I like to go off-piste.".
