The BBC has published its annual report for the 2024/2025 financial year, revealing the salaries of its highest-earning on-air talent. The disclosure comes at a time of significant pressure on the broadcaster regarding its internal culture and conduct.
Top Earners and Salary Breakdown
Gary Lineker remains the BBC's highest-paid star for an eighth consecutive year, with earnings of £1.35 million for the reporting period. This is despite the former Match of the Day presenter having left his main presenting role in May 2025.
Radio 2's Zoe Ball secured the second spot, earning £517,000 for her work on the breakfast show during the period covered. In third place was football pundit Alan Shearer, whose salary fell within the £440,000 to £444,999 bracket.
The top ten list, dominated by sports and news presenters, highlights the continued premium on established names in key broadcasting slots. The full top ten for the period is:
- Gary Lineker - £1,350,000
- Zoe Ball - £517,000
- Alan Shearer - £444,999
- Greg James - £429,999
- Fiona Bruce - £414,999
- Nick Robinson - £414,999
- Stephen Nolan - £409,999
- Laura Kuenssberg - £399,999
- Vernon Kay - £394,999
- Justin Webb - £369,999
It is important to note that these figures do not include talent paid through the BBC's commercial arm, BBC Studios.
Transparency and a Changing Line-Up
The salary report also sheds light on transitions within the BBC's schedule. Scott Mills, who took over the Radio 2 breakfast show from Zoe Ball, earned between £355,000 and £359,000, placing him just outside the top ten. Ball has since returned to the station to host a new Saturday afternoon programme.
The list shows a mix of presenters from sports, news, and radio, though the gender pay gap at the very top remains a point of discussion, with only one woman, Zoe Ball, in the top three highest earners.
Corporate Culture Under the Microscope
The publication of the salary data coincides with the BBC facing intense criticism over its corporate culture. The broadcaster has been grappling with a series of controversies, including a controversial performance by Bob Vylan at Glastonbury and allegations of inappropriate behaviour against MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace.
In response to these challenges, BBC Director-General Tim Davie stated that the organisation must ensure it is "in the right place" regarding its internal culture. He confirmed that several staff members had been dismissed in the preceding three months following an independent review into workplace practices.
The annual salary report, while a routine exercise in transparency, has therefore landed in a highly charged atmosphere. It underscores the dual pressures on the BBC: justifying the high cost of its top talent while simultaneously addressing serious questions about its operational conduct and ethical standards.
