Mark Chapman to Join Match of the Day as New Host
Mark Chapman, a well-known sports broadcaster and Manchester United fan, has been announced as one of the new hosts of the BBC’s flagship football show, Match of the Day. He will be joining Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan in the presenting lineup from next season, following the departure of Gary Lineker after 26 years.
According to a report by the Manchester Evening News, Chapman has already demonstrated his ability to remain impartial on the show despite being a Manchester United fan. In an interview on the TV show Catchphrase, Chapman joked that he hides his true feelings by venting all frustrations about the Red Devils’ form and poor results before going on air. He said: “By the time we go on air, I’ve had enough time to stop being a sore loser. So by then I’m fairly impartial.”
The Manchester Evening News report also stated that Chapman’s appointment was announced in January, and he will be sharing presenting duties for Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2 with Cates and Logan. The BBC had initially planned for Lineker to continue hosting their coverage of the FA Cup next season and the 2026 World Cup, but those plans were scrapped when Lineker mutually agreed to leave his role and the BBC at the end of this season.
Chapman has been a familiar face in British sports broadcasting for many years, having started his career at the BBC as a continuity announcer. He has since worked as a local cricket reporter and done “jokey stuff” on Radio 1, before rising to become the face of MOTD2 each week. The Manchester Evening News reported that Chapman’s broadcasting journey has been impressive, and his professionalism cannot be doubted.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Chapman was born in Rochdale but moved to Sale at a young age, and Manchester United were and are still his local team. In a 2018 interview with the iPaper, Chapman said: “It’s not my fault that I support a big team!” He backed up his position as a true fan by adding: “I had to put up with a lot of poor, if at least entertaining, stuff in the 1980s. I am a genuine Manchester United fan.”
The Manchester Evening News also reported that BBC chiefs, led by the new director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski, are keen to steer their flagship football show in a new direction, which sparked their decision to appoint Logan, Chapman, and Cates. When asked what to expect from MOTD in the 2025/26 season, Chapman insisted: “Nothing different. I know people keep saying, ‘Oh this will change or that will change.’ I genuinely don’t think anything will change.”
Chapman also stated that the show will still be showing all the highlights and having a bit of a chat, and that he and his co-hosts will be talking about football and having a laugh. The Manchester Evening News reported that Chapman’s calm and professional demeanor has made him a popular choice for the role, and he will undoubtedly be a great addition to the Match of the Day lineup.
In conclusion, Mark Chapman’s appointment as a new host of Match of the Day is a significant move for the BBC, and he will undoubtedly bring his expertise and passion for football to the show. As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Chapman’s ability to remain impartial despite being a Manchester United fan is a testament to his professionalism, and he will be a great asset to the show.
Source link
