Last updated April 2008
Category: Sport
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Gary began his broadcasting career in earnest with BBC Radio 5's Gary Lineker’s Football Night in 1992, and took over as the host of Sunday Sport on the relaunched Radio 5 Live in 1995 after ending his playing career in Japan.
His earliest stint as a television pundit with the BBC was during the 1986 World Cup Finals following England’s elimination by Argentina.
Gary joined BBC Sport’s TV team in 1995, appearing on Sportsnight, Football Focus and Match Of The Day.
He worked as a roving reporter during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. That year also saw him become the regular presenter of Football Focus within Grandstand.
Gary presented highlights programmes during Euro 96, and hosted both live and highlights coverage of the 1998 World Cup Finals in France. He has been presenting Match Of The Day since 1999 and was also a team captain on BBC One’s hugely successful sports quiz They Think It’s All Over.
In November 2005, Gary was unveiled as BBC Sport’s main presenter for major golfing events such as The Open. He is also a presenter on the BBC's annual sporting spectacular, Sports Personality Of The Year.
During his playing career, Gary Lineker was one of the best known and most widely admired soccer players in the world. He played for Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and Japanese team Nagoya Grampus Eight.
In 80 appearances for England, his goal total of 48 for his country places him second on the all-time list behind Sir Bobby Charlton. During his spell at Barcelona he became fluent in Spanish and while at Nagoya Grampus Eight he learnt Japanese.
Gary is also an accomplished cricketer (MCC), golfer and snooker player.
