Legendary broadcaster Steve Rider has announced his retirement after a decorated career.
The commentator will step away from broadcasting next month after 45 years in the role.
4
4
Rider confirmed his decision on Monday as he appeared on Breakfast.
Touching on his recovery from prostate cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2023, he explained: “I had a little bit of a lucky break two years ago with the diagnosis that had a certain urgency attached to it.
“That all got sorted out with an operation within two or three months.
“The broadcasting career continued and that will finish in about two months’ time. I will bow out at Oulton Park in two months’ time.”
Rider is set to end his broadcasting career after round six of the British Touring Car Championship.
He will commentate for the final time at Oulton Park’s Island Circuit in Cheshire between June 21 and 22.
Across more than four decades in sport’s commentary, Rider has worked for ITV, BBC and Sky Sports, covering a range of sports.
The 75-year-old is best known for this coverage of golf, rugby and Formula One.
After announcing his retirement, Rider could not resist a joke at Gary Lineker’s expense.
He added: “That will continue because we’re doing a lot of work behind the scenes with the various broadcasters, archive material and so on.
4
4
“But yeah, it’ll be a slightly more low-key exit than Mr Lineker, I’m sure.”
Lineker will leave his role with the BBC after this season’s final episode of Match of the Day on Sunday.
The former England striker had been set to step down as the show’s host at the end of the campaign but remain with the broadcaster for another year.
However, he will no longer front coverage of next season’s FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
It comes amid an anti-semitism row after Lineker re-shared a pro-Gaza video which likened supporters of Israel to rats.
In a statement, the presenter said: “Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember – both on the pitch and in the studio.
“I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years. As I’ve said, I would never consciously repost anything anti-semitic – it goes against everything I stand for.
“However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.”
The BBC officially confirmed Lineker would be leaving the broadcaster on Monday.
Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan had already been confirmed as his Match of the Day successors from next season.
