Alan Shearer reacts as Gary Lineker drops hint on BBC return after Match of the Day axe

Alan Shearer has reacted to Gary Lineker winning the Best Presenter award at this year's National Television Awards. The 64-year-old stepped down from his role as host of Match of the Day in May after a 26-year stint presenting the BBC's renowned football highlights show.

His exit was triggered by a social media post he shared that contained a rat emoji, an animal historically used to symbolise Jewish people in antisemitic propaganda. Lineker swiftly removed the post and issued several apologies, but it was decided that he would depart from the BBC a year earlier than initially planned.

The former England striker has now claimed the NTA's Best Presenter award.Lineker's win has ended Ant and Dec's run of 23 consecutive triumphs.

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"Yesssss @GaryLineker congratulations," MOTD pundit Shearer said on X (Twitter) in reaction to the news. Many might have expected Newcastle United legend Shearer to support his Geordie pals Ant and Dec, but the ex-Premier League legend threw his weight behind Lineker instead.

Lineker has also spoken about the possibility of a return to the BBC. "I really don't know ... I'm really looking forward to working with ITV... I'm not so sure [with the BBC]," he said backstage.

During the latest episode of The Rest Is Football podcast, the former Tottenham Hotspur forward revealed his NTA nomination. He said: "I'm going to the NTAs tonight, I've been nominated chaps, nominated, how about that?"

Both Shearer and Micah Richards offered their friend some words of encouragement, with the latter joking: "Aw, go on Gaz, have you got any wind? Have you sent a text out or what to say, 'I'm only turning up if I'm getting the award.'"

He laughed off the suggestion, and insisted it was the "Ant and Dec award anyway," hinting he thought he had little hope of winning. Shearer acted shocked before adding: "I have voted for you, though."

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