The white smoke has emerged over Media City in Salford but the process to choose the post-Gary Lineker path for Match of the Day has been leakier than the average conclave. It was reported a month ago that Kelly Cates was in the frame for the job,

Kelly Cates will share presenting duties of the BBC's flagship football show Match of the Day, along with co-hosts Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan.

It was announced in November that Gary Lineker would be stepping down at the end of the current season, calling time on 26 years in the job. It ended months of speculation over his future at the BBC, though he will be staying on to front coverage of the 2026 World Cup.

The BBC has confirmed who will replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day. It was confirmed back in November that the former footballer, who has hosted the BBC football highlights show since 1999, will exit his long-running role at the end of the season.

Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan have been announced as the three primary hosts for the BBC's Match of the Day programme for next season.

The BBC has announced a three-strong line-up to replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host at the end of the season. Kelly Cates, the daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish, will present alongside Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan, all highly experienced figures in sports broadcasting.

BBC Sport has confirmed the three presenters who will lead its Match of the Day coverage as Gary Lineker prepares to step aside. Footballer-turned-pundit Lineker sat in the presenting chair for the last 26 years before delivering the shock news of his departure in November.

Gary Lineker's Match of the Day replacements have officially been unveiled. Lineker is set to leave the iconic football show come the end of the 2024/25 Premier League season after 26 years as its host.