Gary Lineker admitted that he “never really enjoyed” being the host of BBC Sports Personality of the Year, having not presented the awards this month.

Olympic hero Keely Hodgkinson claimed the top prize hosted by an all-female lineup featuring Clare Balding, Gabby Logan, and Alex Scott in Lineker’s absence.

The former England striker admitted that he did not watch the 2024 ceremony, having hosted SPOTY for 23 years, but the decision to skip the event was not connected to his imminent departure from the BBC.

He told a live audience for his The Rest is Football podcast: "Just to make it clear, what happened with Sports Personality of the Year is that it went to an independent production company.

"It was granted at the start of the year. Now, I saw that as an opportunity to get out of presenting Sports Personality. It’s a great show, but it’s the one TV gig that I never really enjoyed."

In November, it was announced that Lineker would be stepping down from SPOTY duties, having already confirmed his departure from MOTD.

While he will be leaving the late-night Premier League highlights show at the end of the season, the 64-year-old will stay on at the BBC for their coverage of the FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup.

But he appears happy to see the back of SPOTY as Lineker shifts his business to his podcast empire, having complained that he had to run every word past the broadcaster.

"It’s a very strange show to do,” Lineker added as he revealed that his predecessor Des Lynam shared the same sentiment.

"Also, it’s the one thing where every single word that you say on it has to be agreed by all parties at the BBC. Every single interview you do, you have to say what questions you’re going to ask. I mean, I like to ad-lib, I like to go off-piste."

Hodgkinson became the fourth female winner of the award in four years, after Mary Earps, Beth Mead and Emma Raducanu, having won a gold medal in the 800m at the Paris Olympics.

She defeated the likes of Luke Littler and Joe Root, while the darts superstar won the Young SPOTY award.

"It's been incredible this year for me," Hodgkinson said. "I'm so grateful for everyone voting. And I hope everyone loved watching Paris as much as I loved competing in it. You look down the list of past winners - not just in track and field - British icons.

"It's great to put my name up there as well. Growing up I always knew I had a talent in the sport. I get the best out of myself when I have something to aim for. I took great inspiration from Jessica Ennis-Hill at London 2012. You start to dream into your teenage years."