Gary Lineker at the NTAs 2025(Image: Getty Images for the NTA’s)

Gary Lineker opened up on his BBC exit as he took home the award for Best Presenter at the National Television Awards. The shock victory at London’s O2 saw the former Match of the Day presenter finally knock Ant and Dec from the top spot for the award.

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For the first time in 23 years, the Geordie duo were left empty handed in the category, with 64-year-old Gary even joking he had won the “Ant and Dec trophy” in his winner’s speech.

However, despite his award coming from his time on the BBC’s main football show, he has admitted he won’t work with the organisation again following his early exit.

Speaking after his win, he said: “I really don’t know. At the moment, I’m really looking forward to working with ITV and I’ve got a podcast business that I have to run so I’m not so sure. I’ve got so many great memories from such a long period at the BBC.”

Gary Lineker after his NTA win(Image: PA)

He added: “I don’t think anyone thought I was cancelled. It was obviously just a mistake, an oversight. I was never in the slightest bit concerned for that but this is lovely and there’s no doubt that there’s perhaps a message here that it’s ok to share your views and speak up for those who don’t perhaps have a voice.”

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Gary departed his role as the main presenter of BBC’s huge football show earlier than first expected. His exit came after he had shared a series of controversial comments during his social media activity.

One comment specifically saw him post in May 2025 concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that included a rat emoji.

The rat image has been historically used in anti-Semitic propaganda and while Lineker said sorry for sharing the post, explaining he was unaware of the image, he said he “would never knowingly share anything anti-Semitic”.

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Gary Lineker enjoyed his win(Image: Getty Images for the NTA’s)

Despite Gary’s apology, the controversy led to the BBC confirming his early exit from the show. He later confirmed he would not be part of their coverage for the 2026 World Cup or the 2025/26 FA Cup.

Prior to his win on Wednesday night, Gary had received the backing of his The Rest is Football podcast pal Alan Shearer. Whilst many might have expected former Magpie Shearer to support his Geordie pals, the ex-Premier League legend is thought to have bucked the trend and voted for his sports mate.

After laughing off the suggestion that he was only going to attend the ceremony if he won, Gay told the podcast it was the “Ant and Dec award anyway”. He hinted he thought he had little hope of winning.

However, Shearer acted shocked before adding: “I have voted for you, though.”