The BBC has published its annual list of highest-earning on-air talent for the 2025/26 financial year, with Scott Mills taking the top spot. Mills, a radio presenter, earned between £745,000 and £749,999, more than doubling his previous year’s pay band of £355,000-£359,999. The list includes 70 individuals earning above £178,000, based on the corporation’s annual report.
Top Earners and Notable Changes
Greg James ranked second with £440,000-£444,999, up from £425,000-£429,999. Stephen Nolan, a BBC Radio Ulster presenter, came third at £425,000-£429,999, up from £405,000-£409,999. Vernon Kay and Laura Kuenssberg tied for fourth place, each earning £405,000-£409,999. Kay’s pay rose from £390,000-£394,999, while Kuenssberg’s increased from £395,000-£399,999.
Former footballer Alan Shearer saw a significant drop from £440,000-£444,999 to £390,000-£394,999, placing sixth. Gary Lineker, previously the highest earner, fell from £1,350,000-£1,354,999 to £325,000-£329,999, a reduction of over £1 million. Fiona Bruce also experienced a decrease, from £410,000-£414,999 to £345,000-£349,999.
New Entrants and Risers
Several new names appeared on the list, including Nick Grimshaw (11th, £335,000-£339,999), Anna Foster (20th, £315,000-£319,999), Gabby Logan (26th, £290,000-£294,999), and Lauren Laverne (38th, £235,000-£239,999). Others like Trevor Nelson saw substantial increases, rising from £245,000-£249,999 to £330,000-£334,999. Jason Mohammad also jumped from £230,000-£234,999 to £290,000-£294,999.
Pay Bands and Methodology
The list is ranked by pay band, with the equivalent 2024/25 band shown in brackets. The BBC noted that the list does not include individuals paid through independent production companies or its commercial arm, BBC Studios. The data reflects on-air talent salaries only.
Among those with unchanged pay were Faisal Islam (38th, £235,000-£239,999), Sally Nugent (58th, £200,000-£204,999), Craig Charles (65th, £190,000-£194,999), Charlie Stayt (65th, £190,000-£194,999), and Steven Lai (70th, £178,000-£184,999).
