Gary Lineker reveals he 'never really enjoyed' hosting BBC show after stepping down

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Gary Lineker has explained why he decided to step down as host of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards ceremony. His departure from the role became official in November following confirmation that he would also be ending his time presenting Match of the Day at the close of the current season.

However, Lineker's relationship with the BBC continues, as he has signed a contract extension to present coverage of the FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup for the broadcaster.

The 64-year-old explained his decision during a live edition of The Rest is Football podcast. Lineker noted that the handover of the awards show to an independent production company earlier in the year left him with a decision. "Just to make it clear, what happened with Sports Personality of the Year is that it went to an independent production company," said Lineker. "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. He also shared that Des Lynam, who had previously hosted both Match of the Day and Sports Personality of the Year, felt similarly about the awards show. "It's a very strange show to do," Lineker explained. "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.