Gary Lineker, 63, unveiled as BBC's top earner AGAIN with £1.35m salary amid impartiality breach rows

Gary Lineker has topped the BBC's highest earners list yet again

GETTY/BBC
Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 23/07/2024

- 12:00

The Match of the Day host is the only star at the Beeb to rake in seven figures

Gary Lineker has topped the BBC's list of highest earners yet again after the corporation today released its pay disclosures.

As part of its annual report and accounts, the Beeb is required to publish a list of individuals, both on-air and off-air, who received more than £178,000 from licence fee revenue over the past 12 months.


According to the report, the figures provided "include payments from licence fee revenue during the year ended 31 March 2024, excluding any recharges, amounts paid and investments into programmes made by our commercial entities – for example BBC Studios".

It also explains: "Payments made by independent producers, royalties, repeat fees, contractual and other recoverables and expenses are also excluded."

And just days after a former BBC chair described Lineker's conduct while working for the broadcaster as "pushing boundaries", it's been revealed he took home a pay packet of £1,350,000 - £1,354,999.

The 64-year-old's work at the broadcaster includes his commitments to Match of the Day as well as Premier League, FA Cup and Sports Personality of the Year coverage.

Gary Lineker

Gary Lineker, 64, is no stranger to sparking rows with his social media antics

GETTY

Lineker's closest colleague at the BBC on the top earners list is BBC Radio 2 DJ, Zoe Ball.

She takes home just under seven figures after being confirmed to rake in £950,000 - £954,999 for her breakfast show.

Elsewhere on the list, now-former BBC News presenter Huw Edwards is listed as earning £475,000 - £479,999.

BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James earned £415,000 - £419,999 while Antiques Roadshow and Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce along with BBC Radio Ulster star Stephen Nolan both earned £405,000 - £409,999.

Gary Lineker

Gary Lineker fronted the BBC's coverage of this year's Euro 2024 football tournament

BBC

Lineker's spot at the top of the highest earner list isn't a new occurrence as his salary has remained the same as last year.

However, it does come while the 64-year-old continues to spark outrage with his antics online despite new measures implemented by the BBC regarding its staff and impartiality.

Earlier this month, he sparked fury for seemingly endorsing Labour's Ed Miliband's ban on North Sea drilling on social media while on-air, he sparked controversy by wearing clothing from his own fashion range.

He's also publicly waded into political debate surrounding the conflict in Gaza and has faced several calls from his critics to be sacked.

Former BBC chair Dame Elan Closs Stephens spoke out earlier this week about working with Lineker at the time he was suspended for his his social media criticism of Suella Braverman.

In an interview with BBC Radio Cymru, Dame Elan said: "Every time I went to see the secretary of state, Gary Lineker was the first thing mentioned.

Zoe Ball

Zoe Ball was the second highest earner at the BBC this year

PA

"And I have to say he [Lineker] is provocative too - he pops up every now and then - and he doesn't make life easy. And he pushes the boundaries.

"I mean, we had a guidebook on what you could say on social media. But of course that infuriated a lot of people who wanted to see him sacked."

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