The BBC has once again revealed the salaries of its highest-paid stars in its annual report, sparking discussions and debates among viewers and industry insiders.
Leading the pack is Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker, who continues to be the corporation’s top earner with a salary of £1.35 million. Following closely behind is Radio 2 breakfast host Zoe Ball, who earns £950,000.
One notable change in the list is Huw Edwards, who left the BBC in April 2024 on “medical advice” but saw his salary rise by £40,000. Other stars like Greg James, Stephen Nolan, and Fiona Bruce also received increases in their salaries.
Interestingly, some famous BBC faces like Michael McIntyre and Claudia Winkleman are not included in the list as their salaries are paid through production companies like BBC Studios, which is considered a commercial entity.
The BBC’s annual report also includes a detailed breakdown of the salaries of presenters who earned more than £178,000, with icons indicating whether their salary has increased, decreased, or remained the same.
The publication of these salaries has once again shone a spotlight on the issue of pay disparity in the broadcasting industry, with some questioning the justification for such high salaries. The debate is likely to continue as viewers and industry professionals digest the latest revelations from the BBC’s annual report.
