The new hosts of Match of the Day have promised to “evolve” the TV institution when they take the reins this summer, after the BBC confirmed that three people will replace Gary Lineker at the end of the current season.
Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman are to share presenting duties on the football highlights show, which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year. The trio have all previously worked together on the BBC and are each established broadcasters with decades of experience between them.
“Mark and Kelly are two broadcasters I have enormous respect for ... it’s flattering to be part of the trio”, said Logan. “We bring different ways of broadcasting and that will mean our pundits are kept on their toes and share different kinds of analysis.
Logan added: “Everybody understands the programme’s history, and the huge audiences that watch it. It has more to offer as well. There’s an enormous responsibility to make sure we continue to evolve while at the same time respecting the traditions.”
Lineker will have been sole host of MotD for 26 years by the time he stands down; his face, voice and dad-puns synonymous with the show. Chapman said that a shift to a rotating cast would allow three friends each to have an impact.
“There’s something really quite nice about the three of us having all worked together for so many years, all at a similar age, to have this opportunity together as three friends. It’s really lovely,” he said. “There’s absolutely no competition between us. I just can’t wait to be working with two friends, where we’ve grown up working together and we feel like we have a team.”
Cates is part of Sky’s presenting team and the BBC confirmed she would continue to work for the broadcaster after taking on MoTD. She said: “Once I sit in that chair and the theme music starts, I just know that’s going to be a really incredible moment. I’ve worked with a lot of the pundits before and they’re all fantastic, so I’m just looking forward to getting started.”
Match of the Day remains an important show for the BBC, still averaging 4 million viewers a week despite changes in audience and the plethora of football content available across other TV and digital outlets.
The BBC’s live coverage of the FA Cup third-round tie between Arsenal and Manchester United last weekend, badged as Match of the Day, was watched by more than 7 million people, showing the ongoing importance of free-to-air broadcasting in reaching the broadest range of sports fans.
The BBC’s director of sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, said: “I know viewers will love these three incredible broadcasters and journalists at the heart of our football coverage next season. They’re brilliant at what they do.
“Gary has done a phenomenal job at Match of the Day for the last 26 years, he’ll be missed greatly and we all still get to enjoy him on our screens across some of football’s greatest tournaments. It’s a truly exciting time for the BBC’s football coverage.”
