Chapman has ‘made it clear this isn’t something he would want to do’
Mark Chapman is reportedly not keen on sharing Match of the Day hosting duties with presenter Kelly Somers.
This week, the BBC announced Gary Lineker would stepping down as host of the flagship football highlights show at the end of the season.
The 63-year-old will continue to front the BBC’s FA Cup coverage and will lead their coverage of the 2026 World Cup, as part of a new contract he has agreed with the broadcaster.
The news he will be leaving Match of the Day has sparked speculation about who will replace him as host, with Alex Scott amongst the early favourites to land the role.
Another of the rumoured front-runners is Match of the Day 2 presenter Mark Chapman.
But there have also been reports that the BBC is considering splitting the role between a number of presenters, who would host MOTD on a rotational basis.
According to the Sun, initial plans were for Chapman and football presenter Kelly Somers to share hosting duties between them. However, this is reportedly not something Chapman is keen on doing.
A source told the publication: “As soon as Gary [Lineker]’s deal was done, [the BBC Sport Director] made it clear he wanted Mark and Kelly to replace him.
“It would effectively be a job share and they would rotate hosting duties between them.
“Mark has made it clear within the team at MOTD that this isn’t something he would want to do.
“He doesn’t want a job share, he wants Gary’s role as his own, which is understandable.”
The source added this had caused a “headache for the BBC” and that it was “back to the drawing board” for a solution.
Somers has become a familiar face in football coverage over the last few years. She has worked for the BBC, Channel 4 and Amazon Prime covering the England national team and the Premier League, having started out in the media department at AFC Bournemouth.
Meanwhile ‘Chappers’ has been working in broadcasting for almost 30 years, becoming one of the most recognisable faces and voices in British sports coverage.
Along with his presenting duties on Match of the Day 2, he has become a stalwart of Radio 5 Live’s football coverage on Saturday afternoons. He also presents Sky Sports coverage of the Carabao Cup and this season has fronted the BBC’s Champions League highlights show.
