BBC presenters with the highest salaries – from Gary Lineker to disgraced star Huw Edwards

Every year the BBC releases its annual salary report, revealing the highest-earning presenters within the broadcasting company. In keeping with tradition, the broadcaster confirmed the latest news on 23 July, but despite being suspended by the BBC over messages exhanged with a teenage boy, Huw Edwards has managed to net himself a £40k payrise.

Elsewhere on the list, Gary Lineker remained at top, while Greg James replaced Alan Shearer in the top five. Read below to discover the top five earners at the BBC…

Gary Lineker

© Holly McCandless-Desmond

Gary Lineker remains as the BBC's highest-paid presenter. As a result of his duties on Match of the Day as well as his coverage of major sporting events including the Premier League, FA Cup and Euros, the former footballer earns between £1,350,000-£1,354,999.

Gary's salary has remained the same since 2021/2022, however, it does indicate a pay decrease from the star's 2020/2021 salary of £1,360,000-£1,364,999. 

Fans may be surprised to learn that BBC stars Graham Norton and Claudia Winkleman have not been included on this year's list. However, it's worth noting that their shows are produced by companies like BBC studios which are technically run externally to the BBC.

Zoe Ball

© Ray Burmiston

Zoe Ball has become a household name thanks to her gig on Radio 2's Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, and she also led the Radio 2 Terry Wogan Tribute. 

Snagging the second spot on the list of BBC's highest-paid presenters, Zoe is currently receiving £950,000-£954,999, a paycut of £30k. Back in 2020/2021, Zoe was taking home a significantly higher income of £1,130,000-£1,134,999. 

Huw Edwards

© Shane Anthony Sinclair/BAFTA

Huw Edwards comes third place, with a salary between £475,000-£479,999, a 40k payrise, despite the media storm around messages he exchanged with a teenager. Following the publication of the annual salaries, some called for the disgraced presenter, who pled guilty in court on Wednesday of making indecent images of children, to hand the money back. 

The presenter, who was suspended from the BBC last year, is known for previously presenting the News at Six and News at Ten, as well as special coverage of Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. 

Greg James

© Sarah Louise Bennett

Greg James has become a household name for his Radio 1 Show and as a result the presenter takes home a sizeable income, which ranges from £415,000- £419,999. The money is a significant payrise from the preceding year, which saw the star take home  £395,000- £399,999.

Not only has the star secured a payrise, but he has also secured an extra half hour timeslot on his Radio 1 show, which started at the beginning of the month.

Stephen Nolan

© BBC

Irish presenter Stephen Nolan is known and loved for presenting The Nolan Show on Radio Ulster, Nolan Live on BBC One (Northern Ireland) and The Stephen Nolan Show on 5 Live. 

For his work between 2023/2024 the presenter received £405,000-£409,999 per annum, a small pay rise of 5k from the year before.