BBC to ‘open talks’ with Gary Lineker after Match of the Day decision

The BBC will reportedly open talks with Gary Lineker over a new contract once their successful bid for four more years of Premier League highlights is confirmed.

Former Leicester City striker Lineker has been a mainstay on Britain’s flagship football highlights programme for decades. The 62-year-old has been hosting Match of the Day since 1999.

And now the Leicester-born England legend could be set to extend his stay at the BBC once it is confirmed that the corporation have won the rights to continue showing Premier League highlights.

MailOnline report that the Beeb will continue showing Match of the Day until 2029 with their free-to-air rivals ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 not entering the Premier League rights auction.

And once the future of MOTD is confirmed, the BBC will be hoping to keep Lineker as well. The reports says that they are “eager” to tie him down to a new deal.

Lineker was suspended by the corporation in March after a controversial tweet comparing the government’s immigration policy to 1930s Germany. Several presenters and production staff at the BBC stood by him after the decision before he returned to his presenting duties a week later.

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