FANS were left stunned by Gary Lineker’s throaty voice as he presented Match of the Day last night.
The veteran host, 64, fronted a bumper Boxing Day MOTD for the final time ahead of his exit at the end of the season.
As he introduced the show, Lineker sounded more like Sean Dyche than his usual self.
In gruff tones, he grunted: “Ready for some football? Eight games underway.”
Introducing pundits Alan Shearer and Joe Hart, he continued: “Look who we’ve got for Christmas, one of them’s a keeper and the other one’s getting returned.”
Despite Lineker’s quip, several viewers at home could only focus on his voice.
One wrote on social media: “Lineker talking like his mom’s upstairs and told him and his mates to keep the noise down, or they’ll have to go home!”
While a second claimed: “Blimey, Gary Lineker sounds rough.”
A third pointed out: “Gary Lineker voice shot to bits.”
And a fourth joked: “Lineker turned into Barry White.”
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Another added: “Gary Lineker sounds awful on #MOTD are they so desperate for him to present it even when he’s clearly ill?”
At the end of the programme, Lineker referenced his unusual-sounding voice.
He closed the show by saying: “So Liverpool came from behind to beat Leicester, and it’s beginning to look a Slot like Christmas is over… and I’ve got a cold. Goodbye.”
Lineker is set to leave Match of the Day after 26 years at the end of the season.
He is reportedly set to be replaced by a rotating cast of Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates.
Lineker will continue to present the BBC‘s live FA Cup coverage during the 2025-26 campaign.
He will then bring the curtain down on his illustrious Beeb career at the 2026 World Cup.
