Match of the Day LIVE: Gary Lineker breaks down in tears in his final appearance following anti-Semitism row
GARY LINEKER broke down in tears at the end of his very last Match of the Day after quitting the BBC following an explosive anti-Semitism row.
And the ex-footballer also made a cheeky dig at the BBC in his opening address.
He began with: "It wasn't meant to end this way."
He paused for a second, before continuing: "But with the title race over and the relegation places confirmed, the Champions League was all we had left to talk about."
The ex-Leicester and England forward's departure comes five days after he apologised for sharing a controversial post that caused him huge backlash.
And MOTD's highest-paid presenter, reportedly at £1.35million a year has revealed that he will not front BBC's World Cup coverage either.
A statement from Lineker read: "I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years. As I’ve said, I would never consciously repost anything anti-Semitic – it goes against everything I stand for.
"However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action."
- Start time: 10:30pm BST
- Live stream: BBC iPlayer
- TV channel: BBC ONE
Tear we go as we reach end of the Line-ker
Gary Lineker wiped away tears as he disappeared from BBC screens.
The England legend hosted his final Match of the Day last night after 26 years in football's top presenting job - as he steps down following his latest social media controversy.
Lineker was emotional at times as he bade farewellCredit: BBC Star upon star, manager upon manager, saluted the 64-year-old in an emotional MOTD montage of clips and words that fans rated a "well deserved" tribute.
Lineker then bowed out with two typically modest asides.
First he said: "Let me take this opportunity to thank all the pundits I've worked with other the years, you've made my job a lot easier."
Ian Wright was among those praising Lineker in a tribute finaleCredit: BBC And he quickly returned to the theme as he made fun of his playing reputation as a penalty-box poacher.
He smiled as he added: "Rather like my football career everyone else did all the hard work and I got all the plaudits".
Fans reckoned Lineker was in fine form on his MOTD swansongCredit: BBC Wrighty 'learnt from Lineker'
Ian Wright reckons Alan Shearer taught him so much as a player and a pundit.
Wrighty said: "I learnt so much from him.
"I admire him so much, he's helped me so much."
'Off air he's very generous'
Alan Shearer rates Gary Lineker as "one of the best ever" - on the pitch and then on the studio.
And he gave a touching verdict on his fellow England striker away from the cameras.
Shearer said: "Off air, he's very kind, he's very generous."
The Newcastle icon also hinted at how much Lineker might miss his role.
Shearer claimed: "He loves it - it means the world to him."
Micah 'star struck' by Lineker
Micah Richards won 13 England caps, plus the Prem crown and FA Cup with Manchester City.
But he insists he was in awe of Lineker when he first joined MOTD.
Richards popped up regularly during the Beeb's tribute reel to Lineker.
And at one stage he admitted: "I was a little bit star struck."
Richards also told the outgoing host: "Thank you very much for all the advice."
'The one person I could rely on'
Amongst all the tributes to Lineker, one stood out for its simplicity.
Ex-England keeper Peter Shilton won a record 125 England caps - including two years alongside the striker.
And he told Lineker's final MOTD show that the 64-year-old had been "the one person I could rely on".
Boceli joins in a 'Time to Say Goodbye'
Iconic Italian singer Andrea Bocelli joined the tributes - as MOTD faded out to his music.
Bocelli is most famous for his song "Time to Say Goodbye".
Credit: BBC 'Great tribute segment'
Viewers generally loved the BBC's moving montage of Lineker's contribution - to football and the Beeb itself.
Here are a few responses as fans come to terms with his 26 years as MOTD host ending..
One fan posted: "Absolute legend, every plaudit is deserved... a heart of gold." Congratulations Gary, enjoy whatever is next."
A second added: "He plays down what a great player he was too as well as a great presenter, get yourself to Ocean beach and make up with your bro, life’s too short!"
And a third wrote: "A great tribute segment. Thanks Gary, Alan and Micah for making Saturday nights special."
A fourth said: "Sad to see Gary Lineker go. Intelligent, witty and warm... #MOTD and the BBC will be a poorer place without him."
Here's how tearful Lineker said goodbye
Gary Lineker's final farewell to the Beeb was done in typical style - modest but with sharp humour... combined with a tear in his eye.
Gary wishes next season's THREE presenters well
Lineker is being replaced by three well-respected presenters from next season.
Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan were all in the running for the individual job - until the Beeb decided to split it.
Lineker's words of thanks also included an "I wish you well" message as he name-checked all three successors.
Family tribute to Lineker
Lineker's family praised him as a father - and as "a brilliant human being".
The Beeb showed clips from when Lineker's then-young son was able to see him perform his MOTD role in the studio.
Beeb blends his two careers
MOTD peaked its farewell to Lineker with a rapid rundown on career highlights - from his playing days to the studio.
The late Sir Bobby Robson popped up in an old clip from the 1980s when he was bossing England to say: "Once again Lineker will get all the praise!"
And Ian Wright reveals the help he got from Lineker - as a player and then as a pundit.
Lineker's formative years with Leicester were also shown Emotional Lineker ends with surprise 'apology'
Gary Lineker bowed out of MOTD - and the Beeb - with self-effacing words as he praised the "people you don't see".
He said: "Let me thank for all the people I've had the pleasure of working with over the 25 years...
"Thank you for all the people on the show you don't see.. Thank you all.
"Rather like my football career, everyone else did the hard work...."
He finished off with a special message for viewers.
Lineker said: "Thank you for all of you... and I'm sorry your team is always last on!"
Hansen says Lineker transition was 'seamless'
MOTD legend Alan Hansen praised the way Gary Lineker switched from playing to punditry so smoothly,
The former Liverpool defender reckons Lineker transferred his "sharp, intelligent" skills on the pitch to the studio.
Hansen said: "It was a seamless journey."
From Gazza to Gary
Paul Gascoigne was also shown - and jokes if Lineker ever needs help he knows where to find it.
Legend is now booted out
Lineker added to his wealth of medals and honours with two more - from Richards and Shearer.
After 80 England caps, Lineker finally gets the headwear he really wanted He's handed a special Match of the Day cap - and boots!
Shearer also has a dig over his goal record compared to the fellow England striker's.
He also picked up a pair of gold...ish boots
Legendary Foxes boss salutes Gary
Claudio Ranieri was Leicester manager when Lineker's favourite team stunned the world with Premier League glory nine years ago.
Ranieri pops up here to say: "Well done for the amaxing job you have done.
"2016, we will always remember."
Pep verdict on Lineker
Pep Guardiola is one of the talking heads.
The Man City boss tells Lineker: "You won't believe it but you will be missed!
"You have my Barcelona shirt - you can send it to me!"
Here's one of the touching memories MOTD finished with 'I don't know if I can speak..'
We'll show you many of the tributes - and images - but for now here's how an emotional Lineker began his final words.
"I don't know if I can speak I'll try... For the final time the league table..."
Tributes flowing...
We're hearing from legends like Paul Gascoigne and Pep Guardiola - and Lineker's family...
Lineker has casting vote on goal of season
Shearer and Richards can't be split on who bagged the goal of the season.
In the end Lineker has the deciding vote - and goes for a sublime finish from Brighton winger Kaoru Mitouma against Chelsea on Valentines Day this year.
Gary exit compared to demise of Top Gear
Viewers are having their say on Lineker's fast-looming exit from the BBC.
And one came quite close to comparing the ex-England striker to... Jeremy Clarkson!
The fan posted: "Genuinely can’t see the next crop of ‘lead presenters’ holding the fort for too long, as good as they are as broadcasters/presenters, it all feels very Top Gear 2016."
Lineker says Bowen snub 'unfortunate'
After Jarrod Bowen fired a stunner for West Ham, Lineker gives his verdict on the winger not being picked for the Three Lions next two games.
The presenter reckons the "very consistent" performer is "a bit unfortunate to miss out on the England squad".
We've moved onto Bournemouth vs Leicester now.
The Art of improvement
Lineker queries Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta's assertion that only a small improvement is needed next term.
And Shearer chips in: "It's not a title-winning attack that Arsenal have got."
The comes highlights from relegated Ipswich's 3-1 loss at home to West Ham.
Countdown begins...
Lineker has mainly been in a supporting role tonight - as all good hosts are.
Shearer and Richards have done most of the talking.
But there's not much supportive you can say of bottom side Southampton's dismal season, which includes a record 30 defeats.
Yes - MOTD is going through the highlights of the Saints against Prem runners-up Arsenal.
Wolves vs Brighton now
We've long gone through the crucial games for Champions League qualification.
So now the big question is: What have the BBC got in store for Lineker's send-off?