Gary Lineker in tears as he is given emotional BBC Match of the Day farewell

Gary Lineker was moved to tears as his tenure on concluded with a heartfelt tribute led by Alan Shearer and Micah Richards in the studio.

A lengthy video was shown in the studio, starting from his footballing days, which saw him shine at Barcelona. After retirement, it traced his journey as a presenter, where he had the daunting task of stepping into the shoes of the legendary Des Lynam.

Several colleagues - including Richards, Shearer, Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson - all lauded both as a person and a presenter. His children also shared their thoughts in the video, highlighting his qualities as a father as well as a broadcaster.

Notable figures like Pep Guardiola and Virgil van Dijk also offered their tributes. Richards stated: "When you think of Match of the Day, you think of Gary Lineker," while Shearer added: "He loves it, it means the world to him."

The renowned Italian singer, Andrea Bocelli, best known for the iconic song "Time to Say Goodbye," also paid homage.

As the cameras turned back to Lineker in the studio, he could be seen wiping his cheeks with a tissue, struggling for a moment to address his final show. His parting words were: "Let me take this opportunity to thank all the pundits I've worked with over the years, you've made my job a lot easier.

"Rather like my football career everyone else did all the hard work and I got all the plaudits."

After choking up, he continued: "It's been an absolute privilege to have hosted Match of the Day for a quarter of a century, it's been utterly joyous. I'd like to wish Gabby, Mark and Kelly all the very best when they sit in this chair. The programme is in the very best hands.

"My final thank you goes to all of you. Thank you for watching, thank you for all of your support over the years. It's been so special and I'm sorry that your team was always on last. Time to say goodbye... goodbye."

This finale signals the end of an association spanning over 20 years, during which he became a fixture on the Premier League highlights show, now set to hand over the baton for the next season.

In a moment of levity, Lineker quipped at the opening of the programme, "it wasn't meant to end this way", a comment that, while intended to mirror the Premier League season, poignantly echoed his own premature departure from the BBC. Lineker's parting words followed a poignant montage of his footballing prowess in the intro sequence.

Lineker, 64, has navigated through numerous controversies at the BBC, surviving previous calls for dismissal after blasting the Government in tweets. His continued vocal stance on international issues, particularly the Israel-Gaza conflict, was ultimately his undoing.

The straw that broke the camel's back came when he reposted and then hastily removed content from Palestine Lobby on his Instagram, featuring a rat image, which triggered demands for his termination by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA).

BBC Director-General Tim Davie released a statement: "Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season."

Lineker issued a heartfelt statement expressing his devotion to the sport, "Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember - both on the pitch and in the studio. 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 antisemitic - it goes against everything I stand for."

He admitted his misstep and the distress it triggered, adding, "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."