HUW EDWARDS was paid more than £475,000 by the BBC last year before his resignation following allegations that he paid for explicit images. Edwards, the veteran newsreader, resigned in April after claims surfaced that he paid a young person for sexually explicit photos.
According to the BBC’s annual report, Edwards earned between £475,000 and £479,999 for the 2023/24 period, covering 160 presenting days, BBC One news specials, election specials, and other television programming. This was an increase from his 2022/23 salary of between £435,000 and £439,999 for 180 presenting days and news specials.
Edwards had been absent from screens since July 2023, when the story first broke, until his exit in April 2024. During this time, he was suffering from serious mental health issues and received in-patient hospital care. The BBC confirmed that he did not receive a pay-off upon his departure and left based on medical advice from his doctors. Edwards had been a prominent figure in the coverage of major political and royal events, notably announcing Queen Elizabeth II’s death and presenting her funeral coverage. He also anchored the broadcast of the King’s coronation last year.
Edwards was the third highest-paid BBC employee in 2023/24, up from fourth the previous year. Topping the list once again was Match Of The Day anchor Gary Lineker, whose salary remained unchanged at between £1,350,000 and £1,354,999. This marks the seventh consecutive year Lineker has held the top spot and remains the only star earning over £1 million.
The salaries of many of the BBC’s most recognisable faces are not disclosed as they are paid through production companies, including BBC’s commercial arm BBC Studios. This omission includes presenters like Michael McIntyre, Lord Sugar, Bradley Walsh, and Alex Jones, as well as Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
The BBC’s annual report comes amid increased scrutiny of its flagship show, Strictly Come Dancing, over its culture and treatment of contestants. Despite the controversy, the report contains few mentions of Strictly, though photos from the show are included.
This year’s list of highest-paid on-air talent features two new entries: Naga Munchetty and Radio 4’s Nick Robinson, replacing Ken Bruce and Sophie Raworth. The top 10 also includes four women: Zoe Ball, Fiona Bruce, Lauren Laverne, and Munchetty. Other notable names include Radio 1’s Greg James, Radio Ulster’s Stephen Nolan, and Match Of The Day’s Alan Shearer.
Here is the full list of BBC on-air salaries above £178,000 for 2023/24, as published in the corporation’s annual report:
- Gary Lineker £1,350,000-£1,354,999 (no change)
- Zoe Ball £950,000-£954,999 (down from £980,000-£984,999)
- Huw Edwards £475,000-£479,999 (up from £435,000-£439,999)
- Greg James £415,000-£419,999 (up from £395,000-£399,999)
- Fiona Bruce £405,000-£409,999 (up from £395,000-£399,999)
=5. Stephen Nolan £405,000-£409,999 (up from £400,000-£404,999)
- Lauren Laverne £395,000-£399,999 (up from £390,000-£394,999)
- Alan Shearer £380,000-£384,999 (down from £445,000-£449,999)
- Naga Munchetty £345,000-£349,999 (up from £335,000-£339,999)
=9. Nick Robinson £345,000-£349,999 (up from £275,000-£279,999)
- Mishal Husain £340,000-£344,999 (up from £315,000-£319,999)
The list does not include those paid through independent production companies or BBC Studios.
