Jill Scott has quickly become a voice of excitement and support for the new Match of the Day hosts following the departure of Gary Lineker. In a heartfelt comment, she expressed that she “can’t wait to see them in action.” Lineker, who anchored the show for over 25 years, announced last year that it was the “right time” to step down, hinting that the BBC plans to revamp the show in the future. As he bows out, Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan gear up to share hosting duties, marking a bold shift for the iconic program starting in the 2025-26 season.
In an exclusive chat with Express Online, Scott praised all three hosts, stating, “I’m a huge fan of all three and can’t wait to see them in action. I’ve no doubt they’ll do a fantastic job. They bring a wealth of experience and are incredibly well-respected and loved within the industry.”
Lineker officially parted ways with the BBC on May 25, declining to present coverage for the upcoming 2026 World Cup amid a controversy surrounding a social media post. The football legend faced backlash after sharing a pro-Palestine image that featured a rat, a symbol infamously associated with anti-Semitism. Lineker later apologized, clarifying that he had not intended any offense. He swiftly deleted the post upon learning about its implications and reiterated his stance against sharing any antisemitic content.
In his statement, he said, “Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember. I care deeply about the game and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years. I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic—it’s against everything I stand for.” Yet, he acknowledged the hurt caused by his post and felt that stepping back was the most responsible decision.
In a bright turn, Jill Scott has been busy recently, teaming up with Amazon Prime to celebrate the biggest-ever Prime Day. This initiative offers Prime members an extended window to snag deals on beloved brands like Bose, Dyson, GHD, Lego, and Shark. Scott was present at an immersive pop-up experience in London, allowing visitors to showcase their football skills alongside sweet deals.
She enthusiastically shared, “Who doesn’t love to save money?! I use Amazon Prime a lot, and this year, people get a whole 96 hours of savings across Amazon products, including Amazon Music, Prime Gaming, Prime Video, and more. It’s going to be a great day, and I didn’t want to miss it.”
Recent research by Amazon revealed that about 78% of UK shoppers feel satisfaction when they grab items at a discount, while 67% experience excitement over securing deals before they sell out. Interestingly, 61% prefer longer sales for more time to decide.
For more information about Prime, visit amazon.co.uk/prime.