The BBC ’s highest paid presenter Gary Lineker bid fond farewell to his hosting duties on the flagship football highlights show Match of the Day Sunday evening. Lineker, a former England football player, had been presenting the show since 1999, but earlier this year he announced he’d be stepping down from the high-profile role after 26 years.

Gary Lineker held back tears as he signed off from his final edition of Match of the Day after 26 years in the hot seat and officially left the BBC. The host announced in November that he would leave the football show at the end of the Premier League season, which concluded on Sunday.

Lineker, 64, has presented Match of the Day since 1999, but will now leave the corporation altogether following Sunday's show.