Gary Lineker opened Match of the Day on Saturday night by addressing the speculation over his future with a cheeky joke.
An alleged leaked email on Thursday, as seen by the Daily Mail, detailed a supposed imminent exit for Lineker at the BBC.
His contract expires at the end of the season and there has been speculation that this could be his final year at the BBC having fronted Match of the Day since 1999.
But Lineker appeared to address the matter when he opened the show on Saturday night.
Gary Lineker appeared to address the rumours over his future
BBC
Speaking directly to the camera, the former England international said: “This is my final show… before the international break.”
Alongside him, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards giggled, while the three have a popular podcast Rest Is Football.
Before the show got underway, the BBC had also addressed the matter in a statement.
However, they remained coy over whether or not Lineker would be staying on at the broadcaster.
“We have nothing to announce, and we have not agreed next steps with regard to his contract,” a spokesperson for the Beeb said.
“He is under contract until the end of the season.”
Lineker is the BBC’s highest-paid employee and makes £1.35million a year at the company.
With his contract set to come to an end next year, there has been no movement on an agreement over an extension or yet clarity on whether it will be allowed to expire.
Candidates that are in the frame to replace the 63-year-old include Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman.
While Lineker’s personal choice – Jermaine Jenas – was sacked by the BBC in August after sordid text messages that were sent to female colleagues as he presented The One Show.
Gary Lineker will see his contract expire at the end of the season
PA
Lineker spoke out about his future with the BBC in September and admitted you never know when it comes to an end.
“In sports television, you can never look too far ahead anyway, because of the nature of television rights,” the former Tottenham and Barcelona star said.
“You suddenly lose the contract and there’s no sport for you to cover.
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Gary Lineker appears to have put the rumours to be bed
PA
“There obviously has to be a point when I call it a day, and I totally understand speculation about who else might do the role – but they might have to wait a little bit longer.
“I’m still a spring chicken, really. I don’t see myself retiring at the moment.