‘It wasn’t meant to end this way’: Lineker signs off from Match of the Day

Gary Lineker presenting his final Match of the Day on Sunday. Photograph: Match of the Day/PA

Gary Lineker bade farewell to Match of the Day and his career at the BBC on Sunday night in the only appropriate manner: with a montage.

There were deep breaths, noises off, the checking of notes. There were tears and celebrations. There was Bobby Robson and Johan Cruyff. There were tributes from colleagues, peers, friends and family and an invitation to “go gallivanting” from Gazza.