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Gary Lineker's X-rated nine-word reply when asked if he's leaving Match of the Day

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reportedly provided an X-rated response when quizzed on whether his time as the host of is coming to an end.

The presenter has been the face of the BBC's flagship show since taking over in 1999 and became the highest-paid individual at the company during that time.

However, speculation has been brewing this week about whether Lineker may be set to announce that he is standing down from his position, with reports even claiming that the have drawn up a statement which will announce the shock decision.

Asked by the outside his home in London whether he would be leaving MOTD, Lineker responded by saying: "F*** off, I won't talk to you. Go away." The 63-year-old was then picked up by a taxi.

The BBC have also spoken out in an attempt to shut down the speculation, with a spokesperson saying: "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."

With talk about Lineker being succeeded by a younger pundit not unusual, the BBC's succession plan for their big-name host was thrown into jeopardy earlier this year after Jermaine Jenas was sacked over inappropriate workplace behaviour allegations.

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Jenas was tipped to take over the show after impressing for the Beeb on their football coverage and also when hosting The One Show, but he has since been relieved of his duties despite Lineker openly talking up the ex-Tottenham star's chances of taking the role before then.

Lineker spoke in August about how he would like to spend at least one more year hosting MOTD when in conversation with the BBC Breakfast's John Watson, though it is unclear whether that request will be granted.

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He said: "I love doing it at the moment (and) I've got another year doing it, at least. We'll have to wait and see what happens.

"It's an ever-changing feast, football, and television and football, and rights for the Premier League and stuff like that so all of these things will play a part. But I just feel that it's been a privilege to present it for 25 years now. I must be getting old."

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