Lineker remains top of BBC wages league
● Match of the Day host earns £1.75m but salary cut imminent, say bosses
Gary Lineker was once again the BBC’S top earner, according to new figures, but he is taking a pay cut.
An announcement on Tuesday said the Match Of The Day host is reducing his salary.
The names of BBC talent earning more than £150,000 a year have been published, a move previously instigated by the Government.
Linek er took £1.75 million, according to the figures, which cover the period until the end of March this year - before any cut.
BBC Radio 2 breakfast show DJ Zoe Ball shoots up the list – on £1.36m, making her the highest-paid woman in the top 10.
The salary does not include her presenting work for Strictly Come Dancing’ s It Takes Two.
Pay packets made through BBC Studios, the broadcaster’s commercial arm and responsible for the likes of Strictly Come Dancing, Antiques Roadshow and Doctor Who, are not disclosed.
Graham Norton takes about £725,000 for his Radio 2 show and some TV work, but not his chat show.
Radio 2 DJ Steve Wright is on about £475,000.
News reader and election night presenter Huw Edwards is on more than £465,000.
Fi on a Bruce takes home over £450,000 for her work on Question Time, while BBC Radio London’s Vanessa Feltz is on about £405,000.
Desert Island Discs host Lauren Laverne makes the top 10 for the first time, with more than £395,000.
Broadcaster Stephen Nolan is on over £390,000 for his radio work, including 5 Live.
La verne took over from Kirs ty Young on the Radio 4 programme, while Bruce followed in the footsteps of David Dimbleby.
The BBC previously opposed
the publication of salaries as a “poacher’s charter”, but thenb oss Lord Hall later said he welcomed the “transparency”.
The salaries are being published amid questions about how the BBC will be funded in future.
The licence fee model is guaranteed until 31 December 2027, the end of the current charter.
Decriminalisation of licence fee evasion could also be on the cards–but the BBC has warned that switching to a civil system would cost the broadcaster more than £200m a year.
The BBC began means-testing the free TV licence for over- 75s in August, having previously delayed its introduction because of the pandemic.
BBC director-general Tim Davie said Lineker has signed a new five-year contract with the BBC, but that he will take a 23 per cent pay cut.
“And he has done so at a saving of nearly a quarter over his last contract,” he said.
“We are hugely honoured to have a broadcaster of such brilliance at the BBC.
“And this is a great example of giving audiences both the best talent and the best value.”
Lineker said: “I love working with the BBC, and am very proud to continue to be a part of their outstanding football team. I’ m looking forward to the next five years – with a European Championship and World Cup on the horizon, it’s exciting times for me and the team.”
Following the announcement, he also tweeted :“Oh dear. Thoughts are with the haters at this difficult time.”
The BBC is clamping down on presenters’ use of social media. Davie added :“Gary knows that he has responsibilities to the BBC in terms of his use of social media.”