Former BBC news presenter Huw Edwards saw his salary increase by £40,000 last year, according to the BBC’s latest annual report. Edwards, who resigned from the BBC on medical advice in April, received between £435,000 and £439,999 in the year 2022/2023, which rose to £475,000 – £479,999 between April 2023 and April 2024.
Edwards was suspended in July 2023 over allegations in The Sun newspaper of paying a young person for sexually explicit photos. However, police did not take any action against him, stating there was no evidence of a criminal offense.
Despite his suspension, Edwards remained on the payroll, as it is normal BBC policy. His departure came nine months after his wife revealed he had been admitted to the hospital with serious mental health issues. Edwards was also the corporation’s highest-paid newsreader last year.
In comparison, Gary Lineker topped the list of the BBC’s best-paid stars for the seventh consecutive year, earning £1,350,000 – £1,354,999 in the last financial year. BBC Radio 2’s Zoe Ball was the second-highest earner, with £950,000 to £954,999.
The BBC’s annual report also highlighted job cuts within the organization, with 2,000 roles being cut in the last five years and an additional 500 roles expected to be eliminated by March 2026. Despite challenges, the BBC remains a top media provider for young people in the UK, with 95% of UK adults using its services on average per month.
