Alan Shearer will limit his appearances on Match of the Day to around once a month after deciding to spend more weekends watching his beloved Newcastle United.
The former Newcastle striker has been a regular part of the BBC's flagship football programme for two decades, having joined the show after retiring in 2006 as the Premier League's all-time leading goalscorer.
But Shearer revealed before the start of the new season that he would be stepping back from his regular punditry duties. He featured on the opening weekend alongside former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney, but viewers were left wondering when they would see him next.
Shearer's new schedule
Shearer has now clarified his plans, telling the Daily Mail that he will appear on Match of the Day approximately once a month.
"I said to them a while back that I would like some of my weekends back on a Saturday," Shearer said. "It'll be about one a month. I'll be going to more Newcastle games. I love doing the co-comms. When the FA Cup starts in January, there's loads of co-comms."
While Shearer will no longer be a weekly presence on Match of the Day, he will continue to work for the BBC on live FA Cup matches.
Expanded punditry line-up
Shearer's reduced role comes as the BBC has expanded its punditry line-up for the new season. Former Tottenham and Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld, ex-Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane, former England international Ashley Young and former Brentford manager Thomas Frank have all joined the broadcaster's football coverage.
The BBC announced its new-look Match of the Day line-up last week after reports of a possible mass exodus of regular pundits. Martin Keown, Dion Dublin, Shay Given, Stephen Warnock, Nedum Onuoha and Theo Walcott were all absent from the broadcaster's initial announcement, although it is understood they remain part of the Match of the Day team, with some contracts still to be finalised.
Presenters and other pundits
Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan will continue as the programme's main presenters, while Shearer and Micah Richards are also combining their Match of the Day roles with their work alongside former host Gary Lineker on The Rest is Football.
Joe Hart, Rooney, Ellen White, Steph Houghton, Danny Murphy and Ashley Williams will also feature in the BBC's football coverage this season.
The changes came amid reports of tensions behind the scenes and suggestions some established pundits could follow Shearer and Richards in moving towards Lineker's new-look media operation. However, the BBC strongly rejected claims of a mass exodus, insisting Match of the Day would return with its "established line-up of presenters and pundits" alongside new voices.
