Why Gary Lineker was not on Match of the Day last night

Much to the surprise of footy fans, Gary Lineker was not presenting Match of the Day on Saturday night.

However, Lineker’s absence is not related to the impartiality row which engulfed the presenter and the corporation last month.

The former England striker was suspended by the BBC in March for breaking impartiality guidelines after criticising the government’s new immigration policy.

But with the presenter back in the BBC’s good books, the reason why Lineker was missing from Saturday night’s show this time around is rather more straightforward.

Here is everything you need to know.

Why was Gary Lineker not on Match of the Day last night?

Lineker announced yesterday afternoon that he would not be presenting Match of the Day on Saturday night, with Mark Chapman instead on host duty.

However, the 62 year-old was keen to point out that he had not been taken off air again by the BBC.

Lineker said on Twitter: ‘Just so there’s no misunderstanding, I won’t be doing Match of the Day tonight.

‘I’m not suspended, just on holiday. Back next week.’

Lineker’s absence from the show means that he has not presented the show since he was suspended by the BBC on March 10.

The first edition of Match of the Day after Lineker was reinstated was hosted by Chapman, with Lineker instead presenting the BBC’s coverage of Manchester City vs Burnley in the FA Cup quarter-final on March 18.

And with the international break taking place last weekend, Lineker had another week off from the Match of the Day hot seat.

Lineker was also forced to take a step back from presenting Brighton vs Grimsby in the FA Cup quarter-final on March 19.

Lineker, who was clearly struggling with his voice whilst presenting Manchester City vs Burnley the day before, pulled out of presenting duties on the south coast due to illness.

Alex Scott, who took herself off air in solidarity with Lineker when he was suspended by the BBC, was drafted in as his replacement at the Amex.

Lineker will return to Match of the Day next weekend (Saturday, April 8).

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