Gary Lineker’s The Rest is Football dropped by BBC

Following Gary Lineker’s exit from the BBC earlier this week, the BBC will no longer support the presenter’s football podcast The Rest is Football on BBC Sounds.

The show, which is produced by Lineker’s Goalhanger Productions, will continue to remain available on other podcast platforms such as Spotify, but will have its last episode on BBC Sounds this week in conjunction with his final appearance on Match of the Day this Sunday.

On Monday, the BBC confirmed the long-time presenter would exit the broadcaster following the conclusion of the current Premier League season.

It had been previously announced Lineker would step down from presenting Match of the Day at the end of this season, having presented the series since 1999, but was set to remain to front the BBC’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup next summer and the FA Cup.

However, following controversy surrounding Lineker’s sharing of a video with an Antisemitic trope in it on social media last week, the BBC confirmed he would be stepping back entirely and will no longer be part of the World Cup or FA Cup coverage.

Lineker has apologised “unreservedly” for the post and said that he would “never conscious repost anything antisemitic”.

BBC Sounds had secured a licensing deal last November for The Rest is Football and fellow Goalhanger production The Rest Is History for a one-year deal with the opportunity to extend, with the episodes remaining available on BBC Sounds for three years.

The Rest is History, which is hosted by Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, will continue to be available on the platform.