Kelly Cates ‘revealed’ as Match of the Day host after Gary Lineker’s BBC exit

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. According to reports, Kelly Cates will leave Sky Sports to join the BBC series, and will front a new line-up that will see Mark Chapman promoted from Sunday’s Match of the Day 2 and will also include Gabby Logan. She has also presented sports coverage for ESPN, ITV, Channel 5, Setanta and Channel 4. open image in gallery Kelly Cates ‘is the new host’ of ‘Match of the Day’ Lineker, who previously said the BBC was looking to make the series a little “different” with his departure, will step down at the end of the current football season. Ex-BBC director general Greg Dyke told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that Lineker was “the outstanding sports presenter of his time”, adding that “life moves on, presenters don’t stay forever” but that Lineker will be a “big loss.” Former England striker Lineker began presenting the show in 1999 replacing Des Lynam on the long-running BBC show, after it was reported that he wasn’t offered a new contract. open image in gallery Gary Lineker is leaving ‘Match of the Day’ at the end of the current football season In March 2023, Lineker was suspended from Match of the Day after sharing criticism for the then-Conservative government’s immigration policy which prompted a boycott from his fellow presenters as well as pundits and commentators.