Gary Lineker Tops BBC Pay List for 2023-24 Financial Year

Gary Lineker retained his position as the highest-paid BBC presenter in the 2023-24 financial year, earning more than 1.35 million pounds. The BBC's annual report reveals the salaries of top presenters, although many are paid by production companies. Huw Edwards and Zoe Ball also featured prominently on the list.

Gary Lineker has once again emerged as the highest-paid presenter at the BBC, earning over 1.35 million pounds for his role hosting 'Match of the Day' and other sports coverage in the 2023-24 financial year. This information came to light in the public broadcaster's annual report, which discloses the salaries of its top talent.

While Lineker tops the list, many well-known figures are excluded because their salaries are paid by external production companies, including BBC's own entertainment unit responsible for hits like 'Strictly Come Dancing'. Lineker, a former England footballer, has been the face of BBC sports for 25 years and frequently faces public scrutiny over his high earnings funded by TV licence fees.

Among news presenters, Huw Edwards was the highest-paid, earning over 475,000 pounds. Edwards, who notably announced Queen Elizabeth's death, was taken off air in July 2023 due to allegations and resigned in April 2023 following medical advice. Radio host Zoe Ball retained her second place on the list, earning over 950,000 pounds for her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show.

(With inputs from agencies.)