Roman Kemp 'lined up for shock role in new-look Match of the Day'

Roman Kemp is reportedly in talks with BBC Sport supremo Alex Kay-Jelski about a shock move to Match of the Day. 

The television and radio presenter, 31, is reportedly admired by bosses for his football knowledge and online following. 

It comes after the revelation that Gary Lineker will depart the show at the end of the season after 26 years of hosting it. 

Kay-Jelski reportedly wants to cut costs and turn the show in a new direction.

And while Kemp is not in discussions to host the show - Mark Chapman leads the bookies' tables for that - he is being lined up for a role, according to The Sun.

'Alex has been speaking with Roman about possibly coming on board and how it could work,' a source told the outlet.

'Roman has a massive following online and is hugely popular with a younger audience thanks to his years hosting the Breakfast Show on Capital FM.

'He is also a huge Arsenal fan and knows what he is talking about when it comes to football.

Read More

Match of the Day braces for a reinvention: How axing Gary Lineker paves way for overhaul

'It is very much in the early stages but Match Of The Day is coming into a new digital age and Alex would love to have Roman front and centre.'

Kemp has 1.4million followers on Instagram, 338,000 on X, and 452,000 on TikTok.  

Lineker, who took over presenting duties on the flagship BBC show from Des Lynam in 1999, is finally set to bring the curtain down after 26 years, paving the way for a brand new-host.

The 63-year-old broadcaster is also set to leave the BBC entirely after the 2026 World Cup in America, Mexico, and Canada.

Lineker is the BBC's highest-paid presenter with a salary of around £1.35million but it's understood executives want to move the show in a fresh direction.