Kelly Cates calls Gary Lineker ‘controversial’ and ‘doesn’t want to be like’ former BBC Match of the Day host
Kelly Cates has made it clear she won’t be stepping into her new Match of the Day role with any intention of copying Gary Lineker.
The 49-year-old, alongside Gabby Logan and BBC regular Mark Chapman, will share presenting duties on the iconic highlights show following Lineker’s departure at the end of last season.
His 26-year run was brought to an abrupt close in May after a social media post sparked a high-profile antisemitism row, cutting short his plan to bow out after the 2026 World Cup.
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Instead of appointing a single successor, the BBC has split the job between three familiar faces.
Chapman will front the first programme of the new Premier League season on Saturday night, while Cates and Logan will each take turns during the campaign.
Speaking ahead of her debut, Cates admitted she hasn’t even spoken to Lineker about the role – and that’s just fine with her.
“No, he hasn’t got in touch and I haven’t got in touch with him, but not because we’re avoiding each other,” she explained at Sky Sports’ Premier League launch.
“We just don’t know each other. I know Gary to say hello to, but we don’t have that relationship.
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“I think Chappers said Gary told him: ‘Why would I tell three broadcasters how to do their job?’ – which is lovely because he was brilliant at the job and adored.
“And as much as he was a controversial character at times, any focus group that was researching will tell you how much he was adored in that role.
“So I think from my point of view, the reason not to do it would be, I don’t want to be Gary.
“I think there’s a temptation to try and be someone else, and I think that you get a job because of yourself.
“And if then you try to be someone else, it can all just get a bit confused. I don’t need another thing to think about.
“I don’t need to be sitting there thinking: ‘What would Gary do?’ It’s not a decision not to. It’s just we don’t have that relationship.”
Cates also distanced herself from using the platform to weigh in on political and social issues – something Lineker became well known for.
The former England, Tottenham and Leicester star regularly challenged the BBC’s impartiality guidelines during his time as MOTD host.
The former England striker used his social media to voice opinions on government policy, the Qatar World Cup, and other global issues, prompting the corporation to tighten presenter conduct rules in 2023.
“I haven’t ever really used my social media for that,” Cates said.
“It’s not something I’m going to change.
“Sometimes I’m not the best placed person to talk about certain issues, and I think it’s fine to care about something but keep quiet and let the experts speak.
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“If I couldn’t handle being heavily challenged on it, I wouldn’t put my opinion out there.”
While stepping into a new BBC role, Cates will continue fronting Super Sunday for Sky Sports throughout the 2025/26 season.