The BBC has published its annual list of top earners for the 2024-2025 period, with Gary Lineker once again claiming the top spot despite his recent departure from the broadcaster. The former Match of the Day presenter earned £1,354,999, a figure that keeps him ahead of other high-profile on-air talent.
Zoe Ball came second with a salary of £519,999, a significant drop from the £954,999 she earned the previous year. Ball announced in November 2024 that she was stepping down from her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show after six years to focus on family. In third place is Alan Shearer, who earned between £440,000 and £444,999 for his work on Match of the Day.
Radio 1 host Greg James occupies fourth place, with his salary rising from £419,000 to £425,000. Political correspondent Nick Robinson and newsreader Fiona Bruce share joint fifth, while Radio Ulster’s Stephen Nolan is seventh. Laura Kuenssberg and Vernon Kay follow, with Scott Mills rounding out the top ten on £355,000, up from £319,999 last year.
The list does not include all BBC presenters and actors, as many are employed through BBC Studios. The report comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the corporation’s handling of misconduct allegations, including those against former MasterChef host Gregg Wallace. BBC director general Tim Davie stated: 'We’re not going to tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values.'
