After Lineker 'Chappers' is off the bench as Match of the Day host

He’s spent years sitting on the bench, playing second fiddle to one of England’s best ever strikers. But now that Gary Lineker has hung up his shirt and said farewell to Match of the Day after 26 years, Mark Chapman can finally have his moment.

- Nadia Khomami Sinéad Campbell

While more casual fans won’t be aware of what the veteran broadcaster – affectionately known as "Chappers" – will bring to the pitch, to the diehards he’s long been a known quantity.

Widely respected for his relaxed manner and astute questioning, Chapman, 51, has hosted Match of the Day 2 on Sunday nights since 2013 (while occasionally covering for Lineker) and also presents a number of sports programmes across BBC Radio 5 Live.

But before establishing himself as one of the top broadcasters in the country, he began his career as a continuity announcer on BBC television in 1996. He then became the cricket correspondent for BBC North East radio, before joining BBC Radio 1 as a Newsbeat sports reader on the Sara Cox and Scott Mills shows – where he developed the nickname "Chappers". He later joined BBC Radio 5 Live to host 5 Live Sport on Mondays.

Alongside his run on Match of the Day 2, he was also BBC Sport’s chief rugby league presenter, fronting its coverage of the Rugby League World Cup and RFL Challenge Cup matches.

Chapman is one of Match of the Day’s three new hosts, alongside Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan. While Cates presented a UEFA Super Cup highlights show last Wednesday and Logan will present the newly rebranded Match of the Day on Sunday, the three will rotate across the shows throughout the season.