MARK CHAPMAN has stepped down from BBC 5 Live radio duties in solidarity with Gary Lineker.
The radio and Match of the Day 2 host, 49, was due to be on air this afternoon to help cover the Saturday football schedule.
PAMark Chapman will not appear on BBC 5 Live this afternoon[/caption]
However, SunSport can reveal he will not be taking to the mic.
Colin Murray will also not be in the studio for his popular Fighting Talk programme on 5 Live.
It comes in the latest twist following the BBC’s decision to suspend Gary Lineker from hosting Match of the Day following his tweets comparing the Government’s new Illegal Migration Bill to 1930s Nazi Germany.
Lineker was told to step away unless he apologised but stood firm.
Pundits and commentators, including Alan Shearer and Ian Wright, confirmed they would not appear on the show either in solidarity with Lineker.
Chapman had already ruled himself out of replacing Lineker on the flagship highlights show.
The bungling Beeb confirmed there would be no studio talk or punditry tonight – while manager and player interviews will also be axed.
Football Focus was also scrapped at the 11th hour when host Alex Scott and replacement Kelly Somers pulled out.
And results programme Final Score is also expected to be cancelled with presenter Jason Mohammad refusing to go on air.
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