Gary Lineker hoped 'absolute shocker' in first Match of the Day appearance wouldn't air

Gary Lineker has revealed that his first appearance on was an "absolute shocker" which he had hoped would not be broadcast by the BBC. Before becoming a renowned pundit, had a distinguished football career, rising through the youth ranks at and spending seven years with his hometown club.

It was during his early days as a professional footballer that he first featured on the flagship BBC programme, with MOTD showcasing the Foxes' match against . Recalling the experience in an interview with , Lineker said: "I remember the first time I was on Match of the Day. I had an absolute shocker.

"Back then, they only showed one featured match, and we were playing away at Aston Villa. The ball was knocked back, I was on the edge of the six-yard box, and I skied it over the crossbar.

"I was praying they wouldn't show that, but of course they did." Fortunately for the striker, his performance against Villa has largely been forgotten in the grand scheme of things, given that Lineker went on to score 61 goals for Leicester before moving to .

Following a year at Goodison Park, Lineker spent three years with , cemented his legendary status at Tottenham by winning the in 1991, and spent two years with Nagoya Grampus before retiring in 1994. Throughout his career, he also accumulated 48 goals in 80 appearances for England.

Following his retirement, Lineker seamlessly transitioned into broadcasting, starting as a pundit for BBC Radio 5 Live before taking over as the face of Match of the Day in 1999, a role that would become synonymous with his name.

However, in November 2024, Lineker revealed that he would be leaving the programme after 26 years at the end of the 2024/25 season - although he would continue to work with the BBC, presenting FA Cup coverage and the 2026 World Cup.

At the time, BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski said in a statement: "We're delighted that he'll lead our coverage of the next World Cup and continue to lead our live coverage of the FA Cup. After 25 seasons, Gary is stepping down from MOTD.

"We want to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week. He'll be hugely missed on the show, but we're so happy he is staying with the BBC to present live football."

But in a turn of events this week, it emerged that Lineker will be severing all ties with the BBC after Sunday's episode of Match of the Day. The decision comes hot on the heels of Lineker facing criticism for sharing a social media post about Zionism that included a rat emoji - a symbol historically used as an anti-Semitic slur.

Lineker clarified on Monday that he did not see the image and would "would never consciously repost anything anti-Semitic," but conceded that stepping back from the BBC was the appropriate course of action. He said: "Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember-both on the pitch and in the studio.

"I care deeply about the game, and about the work I've done with the BBC over many years. As I've said, I would never consciously repost anything anti-semitic - it goes against everything I stand for. However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am.

"Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action." Consequently, Lineker will no longer present the BBC's FA Cup coverage next season or the broadcaster's 2026 World Cup coverage in North America next summer.

It isn't the first time Lineker has faced issues with the BBC due to his social media activity. The 64-year-old was temporarily suspended by the corporation in March 2023 after comparing language used in the then-government's migration policy to that used in Nazi Germany.

For the 2025/26 Premier League season, Lineker will be succeeded by , Kelly Cates and , as the BBC aims to refresh one of their most successful football programmes by sharing out the hosting duties between the well-respected trio.