Are BBC celebs worth their wages?

THE BBC was forced last week to release the names and details of staff who earned more than £150,000. The top earners were Chris Evans, Gary Lineker and Graham Norton. Do you think the likes of Evans are worth the massive amounts of cash they’re earning? And you feel sorry that Claudia Winkleman, as the highest-paid woman, gets so much less than him at “only” £500k?

The salaries of these people are obscene. You could knock a zero or two off them and it would still be too much. The BBC says it has to pay these salaries to keep them. I say let them go. Of course the men and women should be on the same level, but on realistic salaries. James Thompson, East Lothian.

The world of entertainment has gone mad. It must sicken people who study for years at university and do some wonderful work in the world. Fiona McMillan, via email.

“Only” £500,000 for Claudia Winkleman? That would feed a family for years. Having said that, the difference between the salaries of male and female employees is an absolute disgrace. Liz Kelly, Glasgow.

I think it’s a bit of a vendetta. Why are we not told about the money earned by high-ranking bankers, civil servants etc? But I don’t feel sympathy for Claudia Winkleman or anyone who receives that amount of money. Most people would give their eye teeth to have that much money available to them. Bea Smith, Doncaster.

I don’t feel sorry for Claudia, no. But I think if they are doing the same job they should be on the same wage. Susan Ireland, Kendal.

It’s a balance between the presenter’s expertise, the ratings and, in a conservative establishment like the BBC, the preference for an old boys’ network of white, able bodied,

No-one playing music and saying the odd inane comment is worth that amount of money. Compare and contrast this with surgeons who save lives but earn much less. I object to funding these people of limited ability. Ronald James, Angus.

I bet all the hard-working teachers, nurses etc wished they “only” earned £500k! It is obscene money like this is being made when there are “normal” people struggling to live day-today. Fiona Reid, Forfar.