BBC’s annual report 2024 LIVE: Celebrity pay revealed amid Strictly storm
The BBC has published its annual report amid controversy about the culture and treatment of contestants on Strictly Come Dancing.
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker and Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball top the list of the corporation's high-earners, the annual report shows.
The BBC's annual salary report covers the period from April 2023 to March 31, 2024.
Radio 1 breakfast host Greg James is the fourth-highest earner with £415,000 - £419,999, up from £395,000 - £399,999.
Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce received a jump in pay to £405,000 - £409,999, up from £395,000 - £399,999.
Writing in the report, BBC director-general Tim Davie said: "This year was at times a difficult one for the BBC, and this Report highlights the challenges we have had to navigate – whether competitive, financial or in terms of the intense scrutiny we frequently face.
"But it also demonstrates that the BBC remains right at the heart of British national life, as it has been for over 100 years.
"Our focus remains firmly on building a BBC for the future that can deliver crucial benefits for the UK at a critical time – to help support
a healthy democracy, a thriving creative economy, and a strong society."
For all the latest news on the BBC report follow the live blog below ...
Who are the BBC's other stars earning?
Gary Lineker and Zoe Ball remain the corporation's top-earners.
But what about other stars from across the corporation?
Greg James is the BBC fourth-highest earning star Radio 1 breakfast host Greg James is the fourth-highest earner with £415,000 - £419,999, up from £395,000 - £399,999.
Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce received a jump in pay to £405,000 - £409,999, up from £395,000 - £399,999.
Radio 5 Live presenter Stephen Nolan is next on the list, earning between £405,000 - £409,999, a slight bump from the £400,000 - £404,999 he earned the previous year.
BBC boss apologises over Strictly scandal
BBC boss Tim Davie has apologised and issued a stern warning to Strictly stars amid the ongoing scandal.
Breaking his silence on alleged abusive behaviour on the show, the Director-General of the channel said: "The line should never be crossed."
Admitting he was "disappointed" by the complaints, he added: "I’m very sorry that anyone has had an experience on Strictly that hasn’t been wholly positive."
Tim Davie has apologised over the Strictly scandalCredit: Getty Why are some names excluded?
Some of the BBC's big-hitters do not feature on newly-released list.
This is because BBC Studios, the BBC's commercial arm, does not have to publish its own stars' salaries.
Michael McIntyre's BBC salary is not includedCredit: BBC It means the sums taken by the likes of Graham Norton, Michael McIntyre and Bradley Walsh remain undisclosed.
Strictly presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly - along with judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke - have also not been revealed.
Actors and other staff behind the corporation's most notable shows, such as Doctor Who and Eastenders, are also absent from the list.
'This year was at times difficult'
BBC director-general Tim Davie has written in today's report.
He said: "This year was at times a difficult one for the BBC, and this Report highlights the challenges we have had to navigate – whether competitive, financial or in terms of the intense scrutiny we frequently face.
"But it also demonstrates that the BBC remains right at the heart of British national life, as it has been for over 100 years.
"Our focus remains firmly on building a BBC for the future that can deliver crucial benefits for the UK at a critical time – to help support
a healthy democracy, a thriving creative economy, and a strong society."
BBC director-general Tim DavieCredit: Alamy Top BBC stars' 2023/24 salaries
Gary Lineker has retained his spot as the BBC's top-earning talent, followed by Radio 2 host Zoe Ball.
Gary's Match of the Day colleague Alan Shearer has fallen down the list, having taken a pay cut down to £380,000.
Having a Ball ...
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker is again the corporation’s top earner with £1.35m, followed by Radio 2 breakfast host Zoe Ball with £950,000. As a comparison, the ONS figure for the UK average wage is £35,828. Just saying ...
Credit: Getty Why doesn’t the BBC tell us what all its stars earn?
That's because of a quirk which means the BBC does not have to disclose the salaries of stars who are paid through production companies.
As a result, the hosts of some of the BBC's biggest shows are missing and escape the glare of media and public scrutiny every year, including top names such as Michael McIntyre, Graham Norton and Claudia Winkleman.
I’ve been on holiday for the past week … what is this ‘Strictly storm’?
On Monday, former contestant Will Bayley said he suffered serious injury while performing a jump in rehearsals for the programme, and has claimed there was "no duty of care".
The Paralympian has said producers were told the jump from a table during a routine was too dangerous, but he was encouraged to do it anyway, and after he was injured show bosses made him feel as though it was his fault.
His torn knee ligaments forced him to pull out of the series in 2019.
The table tennis player is the latest star to speak about his experiences on the show, after concerns were raised about the treatment of contestants Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott.
More to follow ...
