BBC cuts pay to top talent by 10% with big-earners ‘including Gary Lineker and Zoe Ball’ set for decrease

Stars such as Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker and Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball are reportedly among those who face a pay cut.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The BBC’s annual report will show a pay decrease of 10% for the corporation’s top talent.

Stars such as Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker and Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball are reportedly among those who face a pay cut.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

We want to hear from you: let us know what you think about this story and be part of the debate in our comments section below

Stars such as Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker and Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball are reportedly among those who face a pay cut (Getty Images)Stars such as Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker and Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball are reportedly among those who face a pay cut (Getty Images)
Stars such as Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker and Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball are reportedly among those who face a pay cut (Getty Images)
Read More
'An absolute disgrace': BBC Bitesize criticised over listing the 'positive impac...

At a glance: 5 key points

- The pay reduction will be revealed as part of the broadcaster’s report published today, the PA news agency understands.

- It will also show the BBC has “made a difference to the public during this challenging period”.

- Since 2017, the BBC has been made to publish the names of those earning more than £150,000 each year, a move instigated by the Government.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

- But pay packets made through BBC Studios, the broadcaster’s commercial arm, are not revealed.

- Last year it was announced that Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker had taken a pay cut, making Zoe Ball the BBC’s highest-paid earner.

What’s been said

“Everyone knows that the last year in lockdown has been a challenge for everyone.

“The BBC will be releasing a report that shows we have made a difference to the public during this challenging period.

“While doing that, the BBC has also been reforming at pace.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The report will feature a range of measures that show real and tangible progress.

“For example, our pay bill for top talent is down by 10%. This is not an isolated figure, but one of a range of other stats that demonstrate we are on the right path.

“None of this means the BBC is complacent. We have to continue to work hard to deliver for the public. That is where we are investing all our efforts”.

A BBC source

Background

Lineker signed a new five-year contract with the broadcaster last year, which saw his pay reduce by 23% from £1.75 million to around £1.35 million.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He still topped the list of star earners in the 2019/20 figures published last year, but his new deal meant Ball would earn more if her salary was unchanged.

The BBC has also recently faced scrutiny following the publication of a report by Lord Dyson into the circumstances surrounding Martin Bashir’s Panorama interview with Diana, Princess of Wales.

It said the journalist used “deceitful conduct” to obtain the 1995 bombshell interview, which was then covered up by a “woefully ineffective” internal investigation, in which the BBC failed to uphold “governance, accountability and scrutiny”.

A message from the editor:

Thank you for reading. NationalWorld is a new national news brand, produced by a team of journalists, editors, video producers and designers who live and work across the UK. Find out more about who’s who in the team, and our editorial values. We want to start a community among our readers, so please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and keep the conversation going.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.