EXCLUSIVE: Murray axed from Match of the Day 2 presenter as BBC substitutes him with Chapman



Colin Murray is to be dropped as the Match of the Day 2 presenter next season.



Murray, who has anchored the Sunday highlights show for two years since Adrian Chiles moved to ITV, is to be replaced by rising BBC star Mark Chapman.



On his way: Colin Murray will leave Match of the Day 2 at the end of the season Substitution: Murray will be replaced at the helm by Mark Chapman (right)



He is regarded as a more suitable host for a programme that increasingly features the most important Premier League matches of the weekend.

It is understood that the Ulsterman had also irritated a number of BBC football pundits by the way he criticised players.

Alan Hansen sneeringly told Murray on one occasion that he should leave the negative comments to the experts.



Chapman will be expected to ask Hansen and Co more questions rather than giving his own opinions as Murray preferred to do in his irreverent presenter's role.

Primetime: Gray Lineker fronts the show alongside Alan Shearer, Mark Lawrenson and Alan Hansen

BBC Sport had previously denied the new year speculation that Murray was on his way out, claiming his absence from the show was temporary while he presented the darts world championship.

But a spokesman finally confirmed Murray's exit on Monday, although he will continue with his Radio 5 Live shows as well as the darts and American football on TV.



A spokesman said: 'We'd like to thank Colin for his great contribution to Match of the Day 2 and look forward to him continuing on the show until the end of the current football season. He will continue to play a key role in BBC output.'

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