Jeff Stelling names Gary Lineker's Match of the Day replacement and then issues a BBC warning

Veteran sports presenter Jeff Stelling has given his vote of confidence for Mark Chapman to become the new face of the BBC's Match of the Day, following Gary Lineker's departure from the show at season's end, which will conclude a remarkable 25-year run. As conjecture grows over who will take up the mantle, Stelling is endorsing Chapman, currently the host of Match of the Day 2 and a valued member of the BBC team.

Despite Chapman reportedly passing up a job-share offer including Kelly Somers, Stelling sees him as an ideal candidate.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Stelling praised Chapman: "Chappers is the man for the job. Great presenter, nice sense of humour, good rapport with the guests, he's got to be the man, surely."

Respected for his tenure on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday, Stelling has shared his views on the evolving nature of TV broadcasting, particularly noting how demographic targeting is influencing content. He argues that the focus should remain on quality rather than chasing demographics and critiques the increasing prominence of social media stars in mainstream presenting roles, as noted by reports in the Mirror.

"Demographics? I've never bought the stuff about a new demographic," he declared. "It's a forlorn pursuit to look for a younger audience that probably aren't interested in the programme anyway by having younger presenters, influencers, social-media types. I've never believed that was the way forward.

"Call me old-fashioned, but I've always felt the way to attract an audience of any demographic is to make sure you put out a high-quality product. If the programme is watched by mums and dads in their forties, make sure it is good enough so that when the new generation reach their forties it is something they want to watch."

"If I'm going to hear somebody talking about a football match, I'd rather it was somebody who had played the game and is able to see things people like me standing on the terraces can't see, than is a big figure on social media."

The BBC, meanwhile, have got a plethora of candidates allegedly in consideration for Lineker's role.

Though the former England star has shared his preference with the broadcaster, he's not gone public with it. Punditry names floating include figures such as Chapman, Somers, Alex Scott, and Gabby Logan.