IN THE MIDST of dealing with allegations made against one of its presenters, the BBC has released its annual report, shedding light on the salaries of its top stars. Gary Lineker once again claims the title of the broadcaster’s highest earner, maintaining his income at an impressive range of £1,350,000 to £1,354,999 for the 2022-23 period. Lineker’s earnings remain consistent with the previous year, a reflection of his contributions to popular shows such as Match Of The Day, Sports Personality Of The Year, and coverage of major events like the World Cup and FA Cup.
Securing the second spot on the BBC’s salary list is Zoe Ball, renowned for hosting Radio 2’s breakfast show. Ball’s earnings for her work on the program, including a tribute to Terry Wogan, amount to an impressive range of £980,000 to £984,999. Similar to Lineker, Ball’s salary has remained unchanged over the past 12 months, highlighting the stability of her position within the BBC.
A notable change this year is the gender composition of the top 10 earners. Previously dominated by seven men and three women, the list now features six male and four female stars. In addition to Lineker and Ball, the highest-paid personalities include football commentator Alan Shearer, esteemed news presenters Huw Edwards and Fiona Bruce, as well as radio hosts Lauren Laverne and Greg James.
While several individuals within the top 10 have experienced stagnant or slightly decreased salaries due to ongoing scrutiny over BBC talent compensation, some have seen an increase in their earnings compared to the previous year. Notably, newsreader Huw Edwards, radio presenter Lauren Laverne, radio host Ken Bruce, and newsreader Sophie Raworth have all witnessed a rise in their pay.
Edwards, the highest-paid newsreader at the BBC, now falls into a pay bracket of £435,000 to £439,999, demonstrating a notable increase from the previous year’s range of £410,000 to £414,000. Despite this advancement, Edwards secures the fourth spot on the list, with Alan Shearer taking the lead. Shearer, however, has experienced a drop in his earnings from the range of £450,000 to £454,999 in 2021-22 to £445,000 to £449,999 this year.
The BBC’s annual report provides valuable insights into the earnings of its top stars, with Gary Lineker and Zoe Ball leading the pack. As the broadcaster faces the fallout from allegations made against one of its presenters, the publication of these salaries offers transparency and accountability, shedding light on the compensation structure within the organization.
