GARY Lineker has broken his silence on speculation about his future as Match of the Day presenter – opening the show with a joke.
The former England striker, 63, told BBC viewers on Saturday night: “This is my last appearance … before the international break.”
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Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker opened tonight’s show with a joke about his futureCredit: BBC
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Lineker couldn’t help but laugh at his joke after a day of speculationCredit: BBC
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He has hosted the show since 1999 and is now the longest serving host Credit: Pixel8000
This comes after reports have been circulating online for the past few days that this evening could be his last appearance.
Lineker is said to be in talks with BBC executives – with sources telling The Sun on Sunday that it is “business as usual”.
An email also appears to have been leaked suggesting that plans are being made at the BBC for his departure.
But the long-running BBC football show began with Lineker ranting about the rumors surrounding his future.
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He said: “Hello, seven games on the road and this is my last appearance…
“Before the representative break.”
The clever joke had pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards laughing as Lineker carried on with the show.
It appears an email has reportedly been leaked suggesting plans are being made at the BBC for the former striker to leave earlier this week.
He is said to have included a draft release statement when the former England ace decides to leave.
The Beeb refused to call the email a hoax and instead said nothing had been agreed.
Gary Lineker reveals how his match of the day views can sometimes get him into trouble
But the star, 63, is now understood to be in talks with BBC executives over a new deal for Match of the Day after sources told The Sun on Sunday it was “business as usual”.
The veteran presenter could agree to work for £1million a year – £350,000 less than his current mega salary.
He has hosted the show since 1999 and is now its longest-serving host.
It is believed that Lineker will remain on the show until at least the end of the season.
A source told The Sun: “Gary is hugely popular with both the fans and the players.
“The sense is that, with so much uncertainty and scandal at the BBC, viewers are crying out for a safe pair of hands right now.
“Gary loves the BBC and loves his job, and recognizes what an honor it is to host a leading television football show, as well as international matches.
“Gary has long argued that the BBC offers excellent value for money – and has literally put his money where his mouth is and offered a significant pay cut.”
Lineker was taken off air last year after he compared the language used to launch the government’s asylum plan to “that used in Germany in the 1930s” in a tweet.
Pundits Ian Wright and Alan Shearer boycotted MOTD in solidarity.
Former Spurs player Jermaine Jenas, 41, was reportedly in the running to replace Lineker on the show but was sacked for inappropriately texting two women on The One Show.
The bookies are now predicting that either Mark Chapman or Gabby Logan will be the next faces of the late night football digest show.
MotD2 host Chapman and Sports Person of the Year host Logan are both 5/2 to take the reins, according to William Hill.
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards (4/1) and Lioness legend Alex Scott (5/1) are also in the running.
Other names in the frame include regular pundits Alan Shearer (14/1) and Danny Murphy (25/1).
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Lineker has hosted the BBC show since 1999 and is now the longest-serving presenterCredit: Getty
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