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Last Updated:  Wednesday, 2 April, 2003, 11:08 GMT 12:08 UK
All over for Lineker and Gower
They Think It's All Over
The show has been running for eight years
Sports stars Gary Lineker and David Gower are quitting as team captains on They Think It's All Over.

The pair have decided to leave after eight years on the BBC One comedy quiz show, much of which saw them subjected to jokes at their expense.

The show will continue without them but their replacements will not be revealed until later in the year.

Quiz host Nick Hancock and regular team members Rory McGrath and Jonathan Ross will be staying with the programme.

Former England football captain Lineker is thought to be looking for additional TV projects to complement his role hosting the BBC's Match of the Day.

Ex-England cricket captain Gower is currently working as a commentator on Sky Sports.

On several occasions he has been absent from They Think It's All Over because of overseas commentating commitments.

Butt of jokes

A BBC spokesman said: "Gary Lineker and David Gower are leaving the series after eight years by mutual consent and their replacements will be revealed later in the year.

"We thank them for entertaining viewers and being prepared to be the butt of many a joke."

Replacements tipped to take over include snooker player Steve Davis and former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, who have both deputised for Gower.

Lineker and Gower's manager, Jon Holmes, said: "Gary and David have been delighted to be part of such a successful series and wish the show every success in the future."

  • Bookmaker William Hill has ranked Steve Davis as favourite to become one of the new team captains.

    He is 6-4 to land a permanent role, while Sharron Davies is at 2-1, Ian Wright is 7-2 and Frankie Dettori is 7-1.

    Boxer Chris Eubank, who endured a torrid time as a guest on the show, is 20-1.





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  • SEE ALSO:
    BBC show rapped over Beckhams joke
    30 Jan 01  |  Entertainment
    Gary Lineker: Fox on the box
    25 Oct 02  |  Newsmakers


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