Fans applaud Ian Wright's 'beautiful' send off and hail the Arsenal legend for 'embodying everything that was good' about Match of the Day - as he bid an emotional farewell to the BBC show

Football fans have taken to social media to pay tribute to Ian Wright, who made his final appearance on Match of the Day on Sunday night. 

Wright announced in December that he would be stepping back from his punditry role with the iconic BBC show - and last night received praise from presenter Gary Lineker and fellow panellist Alan Shearer.

The former England, Arsenal and Crystal Palace striker made his debut on the highlights show when he was still a player in 1997.

He became a regular pundit five years later, having retired from playing in 2000.

Wright made his final appearance on Sunday's show, when the 60-year-old was presented with a special cap - similar to ones given to England internationals - to mark his time on the programme.

Lineker and Shearer's adulation was echoed by swathes of football fans after his MOTD, with several lauding his passionate and genuine manner. 

'Ian Wright man. Gonna miss him on Match of the Day. What a human being.' Wrote on user on X, formerly Twitter. 

A second said: 'This is a beautiful send off for Ian Wright on Match of the Day. I remember a year or so, seeing a video of him on his first ever MOTD appearance saying that it was his “Graceland”, he’s someone who truly loves what that programme represents.'

A third fan wrote: 'Huge loss to MOTD, Ian Wright is a legend.' While another commented: 'Ian Wright is what my wife would call "a proper person" What an absolute star of a man.'

His final show saw Manchester City crowned Premier League champions for a fourth successive year, finishing ahead of his former club Arsenal.

Wright offered emotional final words to host Gary Lineker and fellow pundit Alan Shearer, as he said the show meant 'the world to me'.

He told his colleagues: 'I am going to miss you guys, I really am.

'This has been the greatest for me. Match of the Day means the whole world to me, you guys don't even know.

'That's why I got my eight, nine, 10 (tattoos), my two guys I love so much on there - people laugh at me but I love you man.'

Shearer responded by saying, 'We will miss you on Saturdays', while Lineker hailed Wright's contribution to the show.

Former England captain Lineker told Wright: 'It’s been an absolute pleasure and a delight to work with you for so long and you are a breath of fresh air - you always have been.'

A montage was also shown featuring further tributes from Lineker and Shearer, as well as contributions from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and the club's England international winger Bukayo Saka.

The footage included several of Wright’s best moments on the programme, as well as his debut appearance in 1997 alongside then-host Des Lynam and pundit Trevor Brooking.

The Arsenal legend's broad appeal even saw him hailed by a Tottenham fan, who said: 'Absolutely love Ian Wright, I think he is a fair pundit, knowledgeable and brings a laugh to the show as well. Shame he is leaving.'

Another user on X shared the touching note: 'Last night, I watch Ian Wright say goodbye to Match of the day. He embodied everything that was good about that show and he will be sorely missed. 

'Good luck with whatever you choose to do Ian. It won’t be the same without you!!'

A third user wrote: 'Just watched the end of last night's [Match of the Day] with Ian Wright's farewell.' Their message was followed by crying emojis. 

When confirming his departure in December, Wright said it was time to do 'different things with my Saturdays'.

'After my debut show whilst still a player in 1997 and many more memorable years, I’ll be stepping back from BBC MOTD at the end of this season,' Wright wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

'I feel very privileged to have had such an incredible run on the most iconic football show in the world. Anyone that knows my story knows how much the show has meant to me since I was young boy.

'MOTD is my Holy Grail. On my first ever show, I told Des Lynam, "This is my Graceland". It will always be my Graceland and I will always be watching.

'I’m stepping back having made great friends and many great memories. This decision has been coming for a while, maybe my birthday earlier this year fast tracked it a little, but ultimately it’s time to do a few more different things with my Saturdays.

Wright was initially a regular on Match of the Day between 2002 and 2008, before leaving the show - only to return to the studio on a regular basis in 2015.