BBC Match of The Day star Gary Lineker faces court showdown over £4.9m tax bill

Gary Lineker could be set to face court over a £4.9million tax bill. It comes as the veteran presenter announced plans to quit hosting Match of The Day (MoTD) at the end of this season.

He first joined the popular BBC show back in 1999. The 63-year-old is now set to be quizzed about his earnings from when he worked for BBC and BT Sport from 2013 to 2018. He listed himself as a freelancer but the tax authorities considered him an employee.

In March 2023, the courts ruled in the former football ace's favour against HMRC. But three months later, HMRC appealed that decision and now a date has been set for the two parties to face each other at the Upper Tribunal on December 2 and 3.

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Lineker argued that he had paid all his tax legitimately though his firm Gary Lineker Media Ltd - a similar argument used by ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly, who faced a £1.2M bill but a judge ruled she worked for herself and not ITV.

Gary is set to remain at the BBC until 2026 after both parties agreed in principle to him presenting coverage of the next World Cup, The Mirror reports. He will also host coverage of the FA Cup in the 2025-26 season and continue with the MoTD Top Ten podcast and The Rest is Football podcast, featuring Lineker, on BBC Sounds.

He said said: "I'm delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen." Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, described Lineker as a "worldclass presenter", who will be "hugely missed" on Match of the Day. The bookies' favourites to replace the former England goal-machine include Mark Chapman, the regular Match Of The Day 2 presenter.

"Chappers" is also a key part of the BBC's coverage of football on radio, presenting Sports Report and the Monday Night Club on 5 Live. He also fronts Global podcast The Sports Agents with Gabby Logan, another candidate to succeed Lineker.

Former gymnast Gabby has presented MoTD in his absence and fronted coverage of England women's Euros 2023. Ex-Lioness Alex Scott is also firmly in the mix having presented The One Show and worked alongside Lineker on the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year programme.

A spokesperson for the BBC said: "Plans for Match of the Day will be announced in due course."

Brumwish 2024 - buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2024 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city - among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little.

There are THREE simple ways to help.

1. Buy a new gift from the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
2. Donate money to the appeal fund hosted by Thrive Together Birmingham - this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes.
3. Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road, B5 7QU on Friday 6th December, 10am - 3pm; Saturday 7th December, 10am - 1pm; or Monday 9th December, 10am - 1pm. Volunteers will be there to help you. Please don't wrap your gifts. You can also drop off by arrangement until Monday 16th December - contact Louise on 07469 979286.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children's centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Thrive Together Birmingham, Birmingham Playcare Network, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (the charitable arm of Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail.

Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support.