Kelly Cates, the experienced broadcaster who now co-hosts the BBC's Match of the Day, has shared her honest thoughts on Gary Lineker after replacing the iconic presenter and her famous father, Kenny Dalglish.
Lineker's Departure from the BBC
In an alternate reality, Gary Lineker would still be the face of the BBC's World Cup coverage. However, the legendary broadcaster left the Beeb last year following a controversy over alleged antisemitic social media posts. This summer, Lineker is covering the World Cup through his podcast 'The Rest is Football', broadcast on Netflix. Meanwhile, the BBC's main presenters for the tournament are Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan, Alex Scott, and Kelly Cates.
Cates' Career and Relationship with Lineker
Cates boasts nearly three decades of broadcasting experience, including time working alongside Lineker at the BBC and serving as a Match of the Day co-host. Speaking before the 2025/26 Premier League season, she revealed her feelings about Lineker's departure. In an interview with the Guardian, she said: "He hasn't got in touch and I haven't got in touch with him, but not because we're avoiding each other. We just don't know each other that well. I think [Chapman] was saying that Gary said: 'Why would I tell three broadcasters how to do their job?' Which is very lovely of him because he was brilliant at the job. And as much as he was a controversial character at times, any focus group that researched these things would tell you how much he was adored in that role."
Cates added: "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. 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?'"
Life as Match of the Day Co-Host
Cates, along with her co-hosting partners, has made a strong start as the new face of Match of the Day, and they will continue into the 2026/27 campaign. During the World Cup, the BBC faced criticism for not sending a team to the United States to cover the tournament. The broadcaster plans to send a squad for the knockout stages, a decision driven by cost-cutting measures.
Cates' father, Kenny Dalglish, is a legendary figure in football, adding another layer to her prominent role in sports broadcasting.
