Gary Lineker's Match of the Day replacement Kelly Cates reveals how she deals with social media – and it's VERY different to her predecessor's controversies

Incoming Match of the Day host Kelly Cates has a ‘zero tolerance policy’ on social media and ‘block everyone’ who falls short of that standard. 

The highly-regarded broadcaster, daughter of Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish, will head to the BBC at the end of the season following the departure of Gary Lineker. 

The news of Lineker’s exit, whilst shocking for some fans, did not come as a surprise to others, given his recent track record of outspoken tweets and onscreen remarks. 

From his views on Brexit and arguments with MPs to a row over breaching BBC advertising rules, the 63-year-old, who has helmed the show for 26 years, did not shy away from voicing his opinions or interacting with detractors on social media.

That would appear to not be an issue for Cates, who will leave her role with Sky Sports at the end of the season to become part of the three-person Match of the Day team, as she revealed her strict social media practise. 

‘I’m a massive blocker,’ she professed on the Overlap podcast series ‘Not Just Football’. ‘I just block everyone and sometimes I block, in fact not sometimes, I block people who are mean to other people.

The experienced broadcaster will replace Gary Lineker at the end of the season, who will depart he show after 26 years at the helm

‘Or If I just don’t like their tone I block them. I block everyone and I’m just like “they’re a bit snarky” – so I just block them everywhere I go. 

‘Every platform that I’ve ever been on I just have a zero tolerance policy.’

Last month, Mail Sport revealed that Cates would be part of the new-look presenting line-up on the show following Lineker’s departure. 

It is expected that Cates will join fellow broadcasters Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan, with presenting duties for Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2 split between the three.

Bosses at Sky are understood to be deeply saddened at the loss of the 49-year-old.

Cates’ smooth presentation of Sky’s Premier League coverage and previous experience with the BBC clearly went in her favour.

She regularly presents on Radio 5 Live, used to host 606 and her arrival will be seen as a huge coup – especially given the uplift in the number of live matches on Sky next season.

It is understood that the three are already close and are looking forward to working together. They are of a similar age and have developed over a similar time period.

Mail Sport exclusively broke the news before Cates presented Sky Sports’ Super Sunday show

In Chapman’s case, the sharing of the role enables him to continue with his radio work for the BBC, which he is known to be passionate about.

Those who know them say the group are humble and there are no issues with the limelight being shared. Indeed, the format is one that seems to be a good fit for all involved.

Lineker, meanwhile, will depart at the end of the campaign, drawing a close to more than a quarter of a century with the broadcaster. His public image in recent years has often overshadowed his role as host, with a number of high-profile exchanges.

Perhaps the most notable came in March 2023 when Lineker compared the language used by the then Home Secretary Suella Braverman to describe the small boats crisis as being ‘not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s…’

It came after Lineker shared an online a video of Mrs Braverman outlining the Illegal Migration Bill, with the comment: ‘Good heavens, this is beyond awful.’

Following the tweet, he was accused of being out of order. The former England star then defended himself by saying: ‘There is no huge influx. We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries.

‘This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I’m out of order?’

The remarks incensed Conservative MPs who accused the presenter of an ‘extraordinary and outrageous slur’.

It led to Lineker being suspended as host of Match of the Day, triggering a mass refusal among the BBC’s football pundits to appear on any of the corporation’s programming.

After the presenter was taken off air, the BBC led by Tim Davie was forced to make a humiliating climbdown following a Match of the Day which saw just a few minutes of highlights from the Premier League, with no music, commentary or linking sequences.

Lineker returned to screens the following weekend, along with the rest of the BBC’s football team.