Former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has topped the BBC's list of highest-earning on-air talent for the eighth consecutive year and the final time, according to the corporation's latest annual report. Lineker earned between £1,350,000 and £1,354,999 for his work on the Premier League highlights show and European football coverage.
The 64-year-old left the BBC early at the end of the last Premier League season in May following a social media row over a post about Zionism that featured a rat, historically an antisemitic insult. He issued an unreserved apology and will no longer front the BBC's coverage of the 2026 World Cup or the FA Cup.
Radio presenter Zoe Ball was the second highest-paid, earning between £515,000 and £519,999 for her work on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, which she left in December. She has since returned to host a new Saturday afternoon show on the station.
Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer came third with a salary of between £440,000 and £444,999. The former Newcastle striker will continue to analyse football for the BBC, including coverage of European competitions like the Champions League.
Greg James, host of BBC Radio 1's Breakfast Show, was fourth with earnings between £425,000 and £429,999, while Fiona Bruce and Nick Robinson were joint fifth, each earning £410,000–£414,999. Bruce's pay covered her work on Question Time and election coverage, while Robinson's included his presenting and podcast work.
Other notable earners include Naga Munchetty (£355,000–£359,999), Amol Rajan (£315,000–£319,999), and Jo Whiley (£230,000–£234,999). The annual report comes amid BBC controversies over Glastonbury coverage, the Gaza documentary, and a report into Gregg Wallace's behaviour on MasterChef.
