LORRAINE Kelly has backed “fantastic and amazing” sports broadcaster Gabby Logan for the Match of The Day hosting gig.
It came after The Sun exclusively revealed current show anchor Gary Lineker, 63, will quit the BBC series at the end of the season.
6
6
6
What’s more, we told how the outspoken presenter will quit the BBC completely following the 2026 World Cup coverage.
Now Scottish TV host Lorraine Kelly, 64, has addressed our exclusive story before she waded into the speculation about who will replace the former England player in the hot seat – a job he has held for 25 years.
As images of BBC presenter Alex Scott and sports broadcaster Laura Woods flashed on-screen, the ITV anchor told her Lorraine show viewers: “While his [Gary’s] replacement has not yet been announced it’s been suggested a woman could be taking over.
“With Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Laura Woods among the favourites.
“Can I just put out there – no disrespect to the other two – but Gabby Logan would be a-ma-zing.
“She is fantastic, she makes it look easy, she knows everything about everything and she’s wonderful.
“That’s all I’ve got to say about that.”
Bookies Ladbrokes have placed Gabby, 51, as second favourite for the gig at odds of 4/1 behind presenter Mark Chapman, also 51, who is favourite and placed at 6/4.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes told The Sun: “Mark Chapman feels like the obvious successor to Gary Lineker and has been made favourite.
“However, with plenty of big names vying for his seat, the competition will be fierce.”
ALL CHANGE
On Monday, The Sun was first to reveal how Gary will stop presenting Match of the Day at the end of this season.
But – as part of an 18-month contract extension – the 63-year-old will stay on to anchor the Corporation’s 2025/26 FA Cup coverage and the next World Cup.
Anchoring the World Cup, which is being held in Canada, Mexico and USA, will mean he bows out on the biggest stage in football.
Who could replace Gary Lineker as MOTD host?
GARY LINEKER dropped the shock news that he is QUITTING Match of the Day.
The popular presenter, 63, took over hosting duties on the flagship BBC programme from Des Lynam in 1999.
But after more than 25 years in the studio hotseat, he has called time on his MOTD gig.
But as part of a huge shake-up, the BBC is considering rotating the presenters on a weekly basis.
So with Lineker vacating the chair, new names will step into his giant boots. But who could they be?
MARK CHAPMAN
Chapman, 51, is the obvious early favourite to follow on from Lineker as MOTD presenter.
He already has the gig as MOTD2 host on a Sunday night plus landed the presenting job for the new BBC Champions League highlights show.
ALEX SCOTT
Scott gets the nod from the Beeb bosses when Lineker is away.
The former right-back, 40, is used to presenting the Saturday night show as well as live match coverage – plus ticks the box as a former England international.
GABBY LOGAN
Like Scott, Logan, 51, is one of the understudies to step in when Lineker is not available.
She has done most gigs since joining the BBC in 2007, including Olympics, Sports Personality of the Year and Final Score.
MICAH RICHARDS
Lineker’s top pick to replace him is exuberant former Man City defender Richards.
The departing host told his close pal, 36, on their Stick to Football podcast: “I’d love to see you take over Micah, I think you’d be brilliant in the chair.”
JASON MOHAMMAD
Mohammad could earn the “promotion” from Final Score to Match of the Day.
The 51-year-old Welshman – who took over from Logan in 2013 – is one of the BBC’s top earners already and is more senior than fellow Final Score and BBC Sport broadcaster Kelly Somers, who could in theory become the main live host for the afternoon slot.
JEFF STELLING
He couldn’t, could he? While Lineker has been the face of Saturday night TV for football fans for years, the face of the afternoons was Stelling in his role as Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday presenter.
He would bring plenty of on-screen charisma, wit and legendary TV expertise – but at nearly 70 and currently with talkSPORT, the Hartlepool fan would not be a cheap or long-term appointment.
Last night a BBC source said: “Gary absolutely adores Match of the Day, and has been incredibly happy at the BBC.
“But he has been at the helm since 1999, and by the time he leaves, he will have been at the Beeb for 30 years.
“He wants to leave on a high – and if England win the World Cup, it doesn’t get much higher.
“It’s one of the industry’s worst kept secrets that the new BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski and Gary aren’t exactly close. The former is very keen to make his mark by bringing in new faces, and slashing wage bills.
“Negotiations have been ongoing for the past six weeks and finally a deal has been struck that everyone is pleased with.
“Gary is incredibly popular with both players and viewers, and news of his departure will send shockwaves around the Corporation. In other words, no-one is immune from change.
“Gary will be 65 when he leaves; frankly, he isn’t getting younger and just feels the time is right to focus solely on his mogul interests outside the BBC – namely his Goalhanger podcasting business which is becoming huge Stateside.
“BBC execs, meanwhile, will be giving Match of the Day a reboot to keep it fresh in the wake of such a huge departure.”
In a recent interview with Esquire Magazine, the ex Spurs star was asked if was stepping down from the Match of the Day hotseat.
He replied: “I could do. Whether that will be the case I don’t know.
“At some point, I have to slow down somewhere… I’m getting old.”
The Sun previously revealed Lineker – who took over from Des Lynam in 1999 – was keen to stay on MOTD and had offered to take a pay cut.
GABBY GO!
Meanwhile, Gabby is a familiar face to BBC live sport viewers.
She recently opened up on “sexism” in the sports broadcasting industry and confessed she was asked “how many” footballers she had slept with.
Gaby – who fronts everything from football to Olympics coverage – is the daughter of former Leeds United footballer and football manager Terry Yorath.
She has been married for nearly 25 years to former Scottish international rugby player Kenny Logan, 52.
The couple are parents to twins Lois and Reuben, 19.
6
6
6