From 'has-been' to 'really good guy' - Leicester divided over Gary Lineker's Match of the Day exit

After a quarter of a century as the face of Match of the Day, Gary Lineker will be stepping down from the programme at the end of the current season and leave the BBC for good after the 2026 World Cup. We went to Leicester Market - where Gary began his working life - to ask people what they thought of the news - and who could replace him.

People's views about Gary ranged from a "has-been" who does not deserve his big BBC paychecks to a "fantastic broadcaster" who's done a lot for England and sport in general.

The 63-year-old former Leicester and England striker regularly tops public lists of the BBC’s highest earners and has presented Match of the Day since 1999, taking over from Des Lynam. But speculation over his future has increased in recent months.

READ MORE: Gary Lineker quits BBC Match of the Day - have your say on who should replace him

In March last year he was briefly suspended from hosting the programme after his Tweet about the British government’s asylum policy. But many who agreed with him were firmly on his side, including his fellow pundits who walked out in sympathy.

Jacqui Burden was among those supported Gary at the time and backed him now. The 60-year-old told LeicestershireLive: "I think he's a really good guy who's brave to speak out on things like immigration when many people wouldn't risk their careers like that.

"He seems to have integrity, which also seems rare. I don't think there's a natural successor for him. There's Alan Shearer but I don't know if he's up to it."

She said she wished Gary the best for the future: "All the best to him. I know there was a lot of fuss about how much he got paid and maybe that got to him a bit," she added.

Stephen Wilson, 55, was also impressed by the former Foxes striker's success since playing the game. "He's got a clean sheet, he's been a decent person and he's done a lot for England and sport.

"He has a right to his own opinions on things - I don't think the BBC liked that very much. He's going to be a hard act to follow. He was one of the best players and a fantastic broadcaster. He's got a personality and an aura. I think he deserved all the money he got."

Not everyone felt that way. An 82-year-old man, who did not want to give his name, said: "He's had his time and he's had his money.

"I think he's a bit false because he acts like he's a footballer still and like he's somebody special. Match of the Day is okay but he's backed up a lot by the other people on the programme.

"He just sits there and fronts the show but I wonder why he's able to earn so much money. You get much more from the commentators during the games. He's just a has-been. Will Jamie Vardy be getting the same treatment? I doubt it."

Jane Roberts, 70, said: "He's been there a long time. I suppose he wants some time to himself. I know he used to work on Leicester Market, so he's done alright for himself. But I don't follow football whatsoever so I'm not sure what should happen now."

Colin Jackson was also full of praise for Gary. The 62-year-old said: "I watched Match of the Day in the old days but now the highlights are so short and the talk is so long. But Gary Lineker seems like a nice chap. I think he's really attentive when he talking to people. He's done very well for himself since his football career."

On the question of who might take over, Colin had a few ideas. He said: "Dan Walker would be good and then there's Alex Scott or Gabby Logan - they would both be good."