The Lineker, Shearer and Richards podcast has been a huge success since its launch in 2023 and was named Podcast of the Year at the Broadcast Sports Awards. In September, Lineker was also named Best Television Presenter at the National Television Awards.
All of this triumph since parting ways with the BBC has prompted Lineker to take a light-hearted jibe aimed at his former employer. He grinned and described his podcast to Shearer and Richards on the show as “award-winning” before scoffing.
“Since I left the BBC, or maybe it’s better to say since I left the BBC, I’ve won more awards than I’ve ever won in my life!” Lineker said. “I should have kicked you out 10 years ago!” After this comment, co-star Shearer burst into laughter and said, “I should have kicked you out 10 years ago. You were winning so many awards!” Lineker added: “Exactly, that’s crazy!”
Shearer continued to appear on Match of the Day in Lineker’s absence and opened up to The Independent about the difficulty of losing his best friend on the show and how he has changed since then.
“I think it’s like a footballer leaving a football club,” admitted Shearer, 55. “But the program is always going to be bigger than any individual. But is it? Well, the program hasn’t changed. Obviously the personnel has changed, but the feedback has been very positive. Hopefully that continues.”
“The best thing about this is that it was Match of the Day. That hasn’t changed. The theme song is the same. The features are exactly the same. Nothing major happened and I think that’s what everyone needs and wants. I see Gary two or three times a week, whether it’s on Zoom or in person.”
“Thanks to the podcast. I was with him last week, so my relationship with him doesn’t change. It’s just Saturday’s Match of the Day that changes.”
“Three (new) presenters. It’s not like they’re new to presenting. They’re as experienced as ever and are great presenters in their own right. They’re very different, but they’re great presenters.”
