Staff Reporter | M10News | July 15, 2025
The BBC has released its annual list of top-earning presenters and on-air talent for 2024–2025, with Gary Lineker once again leading the pack despite confirming his departure from the broadcaster at the end of the current football season.
The former England striker and long-time Match of the Day presenter earned between £1,350,000 and £1,354,999, according to the BBC’s newly published report.
His departure, confirmed in May, comes in the wake of controversy surrounding a social media post he shared referencing Zionism alongside an image of a rat—an action for which he later apologised.
Lineker announced that he will not be part of the BBC’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup or the upcoming FA Cup season, marking the end of a prominent chapter in his broadcasting career.
Close behind in the BBC salary rankings is Zoe Ball, who earned between £515,000 and £519,999. Her earnings, however, represent a substantial drop from the previous year’s figure of £954,999.
Ball announced in late 2024 that she would be stepping down from the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show to prioritise her family.
Alan Shearer, Lineker’s Match of the Day co-host, took third place with a salary of £440,000–£444,999. Radio 1 presenter Greg James followed in fourth, earning £425,000–£429,999.
The top 10 highest-paid BBC on-air figures in 2025 are:
- Gary Lineker – £1,350,000 – £1,354,999
- Zoe Ball – £515,000 – £519,999
- Alan Shearer – £440,000 – £444,999
- Greg James – £425,000 – £429,999
- Nick Robinson – £410,000 – £414,999
- Fiona Bruce – £410,000 – £414,999
- Stephen Nolan – £405,000 – £409,999
- Laura Kuenssberg – £395,000 – £399,000
- Vernon Kay – £390,000 – £394,999
- Scott Mills – £355,000 – £359,999
Scott Mills, who replaced Zoe Ball on Radio 2, saw his salary rise from £319,999 last year, rounding out the top 10.
It’s worth noting that the BBC list only includes on-air talent employed directly by the public service broadcaster. Many actors and presenters who work with BBC Studios—a commercial subsidiary—are not included in these figures.
The salary report was published amid ongoing scrutiny of BBC culture and conduct, following recent controversies involving former MasterChef host Gregg Wallace and the broadcasting of a controversial Glastonbury performance by punk duo Bob Vylan.
BBC Director General Tim Davie addressed the fallout from the Gregg Wallace incident, stating: “From our side, it’s simple—we’re not going to tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values.”
The statement follows an independent investigation conducted by Banijay into Wallace’s alleged misconduct while working on Inside the Factory. Davie reiterated the corporation’s zero-tolerance approach to behaviour that violates workplace standards.
Despite the turbulence, the BBC insists it remains committed to transparency regarding public funds and accountability for its high-profile talent.
