BBC urged to axe Gary Lineker from MOTD as enormous salary called into question

The BBC have been told to pull the plug on Gary Lineker’s time as Match of the Day host after the former footballer and TV presenter’s bumper salary was called into question.

Lineker’s future at the broadcaster was thrown into doubt last week after it was rumoured his weekend appearance on Match of the Day would be his last outing as the show’s anchor.

The ex-football star teased viewers during the programme’s opening, telling viewers “It’s my final show,” before quickly chiming in with “before the international break.”

But the quip hasn’t fully quelled the speculation, not least because the 63-year-old is out of contract with the BBC at the end of the current football season.

Lineker addressed the issue during a recent episode of The Rest is Football Podcast, saying: “I'm coming to the end of my contract in the summer."

“So it's natural at some point that you have to have conversations, and they've just started. So I don't know why it all spiralled out of control.”

But Express Sport readers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of Lineker being axed from his role as Match of the Day host.

Taking part in a poll about the Leicester-born star’s future, a whopping 86 per cent of voters said they’d get rid of Lineker from the football highlights show.

But it’s Lineker’s salary with the BBC that has been called into question, with 89 per cent of those who voted claiming he didn’t deserve the £1.35million he’s paid per year.

With Lineker up against it in the polls, attention has turned to who might replace him as Match of the Day host.

One surprise name to have entered the mix is Micah Richards - the ex-Manchester City and Aston Villa ace who has been a regular pundit on BBC Sport broadcasts in recent years.

Commenting on the same podcast earlier this week, Richards said: “What’s more concerning [is] I’m 4/1 [at the bookies] to replace you."

Fellow guest Alan Shearer added: “That is a f------ massive concern by the way. I’m not signing my new contract if you’re a presenter by the way.”

Before Lineker issued his verdict: “4/1? I’d love to see you take over, Micah. I think you’d be brilliant in the chair.

“You’ll have some power then, Micah. I told them, even with your eyesight, you could have a read of an autocue.”

Lineker is expected to return as Match of the Day host following the October international break.