Gary Lineker took aim at the BBC as he picked up a major award at Wednesday’s National Television Awards.
In a shock win, the broadcaster won the Best Presenter gong, ending Ant & Dec’s 23-year streak.
An emotonal Gary told the crowd at London’s O2 arena that ‘it’s not lost on me why i might have won.’
‘Also, I think it demonstrates that perhaps it’s OK sometimes for us to use our platform to speak up on behalf of those who have no voice, so thank you it means the world.’
Gary, 64, departed the iconic show at the end of last season after 26 years at its helm, with Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates replacing him as a cast of rotating hosts.
Gary, who was the longest serving host in the show’s history and was the BBC’s highest paid presenter on £1.35million a year, presented for the final time in May after announcing his decision to step down in November 2024.
Gary Lineker took aim at the BBC as he picked up a major award at Wednesday’s National Television Awards
Despite planning to front the BBC’s live coverage of the 2025-26 FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup, he departed early after sharing a post about Zionism featuring a depiction of a rat on social media, which has anti-Semitic connotations.
He apologised but said it was ‘best for all concerned’ if he left completely.
In his acceptance speech on Wednesday, Gary called Match Of The Day ‘the most iconic football show on TV,’ and praised his former colleagues.
‘There are so many amazing people I have worked with, in front of and behind the camera, I want to thank each and every one of them.’
Gary arrived at the awards with his sons
