I feel lucky to have worked with and known Gary Lineker for so long.
It was daunting for me to walk into the Match of the Day studio to work live on such an iconic show. Gary couldn’t have been more helpful from day one. He has a warmth and was kind and supportive from that first moment.
It helped that we share a passion and love of football. He is a genuine sports fan and will watch various leagues besides our own, giving him a knowledge of the game in Spain, Germany and everywhere else.
The best example I can give of his generosity is my first overseas assignment with the BBC at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
I was very much the new boy but Gary made sure he always messaged to let me know which restaurant everyone was meeting at on a day off or going for drinks.
I don’t know why but I didn’t think someone as big in the broadcasting world would go out of his way to make me feel so welcome.
Gary Lineker’s final Match of the Day will be on Sunday as he leaves the BBC
Danny Murphy says the former striker is a warm person to be around and good company too
Murphy (far left) worked alongside Lineker in his first overseas assignment with the BBC at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil
It was something I never took for granted and as the years passed, we became close, spending time on the road in different countries for tournaments.
Behind the scenes, he is charismatic and funny. I use that word warmth again. He is a warm person to be around. Really good company.
From a work perspective, Gary is so easy to work with. He was obviously a major name before he became a presenter because of his stellar playing career for club and country.
He jokes he was selfish as a striker but in his second career, my experience is he’s very much the team player. Extremely professional as well.
The biggest compliment I can give him is that even if he’s ready to move on to the next item on a show, and probably getting instructions in his earpiece, if you come up with a spontaneous line, he is still listening to you and can respond.
In other words, you can never catch him out no matter how hard you try! His time on Match of the Day, and the BBC, is about to end after an incredible run but I still look forward to going out with him for a few drinks and a catch-up down the line.
Gary always understood the role he had. He was the front man for Match of the Day but knew how important it was to bring other people into the group to make the show as good as it could be.
Ultimately, if he made me — and whichever guests were on — comfortable, the production is better if everyone is confident to express themselves.
On my first few shows, I had to pinch myself that Danny from Chester was on this flagship programme with two England captains, Gary and Alan Shearer, and a Liverpool legend I idolised as a kid, Alan Hansen.
All of them made me feel relaxed, particularly Gaz. I’ve also been able to carve out a second career in the media having hung up my boots. I’ve a lot to thank you for, Mr Lineker. Have a happy and fitting finale, tonight.
