Gary Lineker, the BBC Match of the Day host and former England striker, is to be axed as the face of Walkers crisps, according to Marketing.
The decision, which will see Lineker appear in ads for the crisps brand until the end of the year before a wave of new advertising breaks in 2009, brings to an end a 13-year association.
Marketing said Walkers owner PepsoCo is responding to a new rules on the advertising of foods high in fat, salt or sugar as well as the diminishing appeal and age of the 47-year-old former Spurs player .
Who should Walkers bring off the sub's bench to replace Lineker? England's new star forward Wayne Rooney? Or should Walkers shun the celebrity route and adopt new tactics?