The BBC's spending priorities have been questioned by broadcast veteran Gary Newbon after Gary Lineker's departure from the broadcaster, with the former ITV Sport presenter pointing to the £222,500 annual salary of the BBC's first Group Director of Diversity and Inclusion as evidence of misplaced funds.
Lineker's departure and pay controversy
Lineker, 65, was the BBC's top earner for years before his contract was ended early in May 2025 following allegations of antisemitism related to a meme he shared on social media. He had been due to present the 2026 World Cup and last season's FA Cup.
Chinny Okolidoh served as the BBC's first Group Director of Diversity and Inclusion between 2022 and 2024, a role for which she was paid £222,500 a year. This figure drew widespread criticism from those questioning whether the position justified such a heavy outlay.
Newbon's criticism
Speaking to The Telegraph, Newbon referenced Lineker's salary and the issue of pay being a factor in his departure, despite believing the former England striker proved his value.
"One thing about Gary Lineker – he always spoke good English," said Newbon. "One of the problems with new heads of sport, and I've seen it happen, is that they want to identify their own faces."
"So the new guy at the BBC [Alex Kay-Jelski] comes in, and he thinks Lineker is on too much money. But some of the salaries that the BBC pay are incredible."
"When you see the wages, and the head of diversity is on three or four hundred thousand pounds [£222,500] a year, you're thinking, 'Well, you've got your priorities wrong here.'"
Salary comparisons and aftermath
Lineker's BBC salary peaked in the financial year ending 2020 at around £1.75 million, a figure that shrank in later years but remained far ahead of any other employee.
After Lineker's departure, Scott Mills (who has since left the BBC) became the next top earner with around £750,000, followed by Greg James at £440,000, nearly identical to Stephen Nolan's salary.
Following Okolidoh's exit, Jessica Schibli took over as Head of Creative Diversity, though it's unclear if she inherited the same salary. Lineker briefly appeared on BBC and ITV coverage during the World Cup but has since joined Netflix, where The Rest Is Football will stream during the 2026/27 Premier League season.
