BBC release statement after bombshell Gary Lineker and Match of the Day claims

The BBC have released a statement in response to claims that Gary Lineker could be quitting Match of the Day. It has been reported by the Daily Mail that an email has been sent claiming that former , Everton and England striker Lineker would be hosting his final edition of MOTD this weekend despite his contract ending at the end of the season.

The email is reportedly said to include a statement by BBC director general Tim Davie, in which he praises the 'world class' presenting of . reports that the BBC did not confirm to the newspaper whether the email was real or not, and have released a statement in which they insist that nothing has been decided with regards to Lineker's contract.

Reported by The Times, the BBC said: "We have nothing to announce and we have not agreed next steps with regard to his contract. He is under contract until the end of the season." Lineker is paid a whopping £1.35 million and is the BBC's highest-paid on-air talent and is reportedly discussing his situation with the corporation's top brasses.

There of presenting MOTD on Saturday nights with Mark Chapman appearing primed to take his place having come through the ranks at the BBC. Lineker said last year that his 'time is nearly up' in a podcast, adding that he was not nervous about being asked to step aside from presenting Match of the Day because he is 'ancient', though he has spoken about remaining on the show before.

He has clashed with the corporation's bosses over his political views and was stood down from an episode last year for a comment about the previous government's plans for migrants. The Leicester City and Three Lions icon has branched out into the world of podcasting recently, being successful with his 'Rest is Football' series.