Gary Lineker sparks Twitter outrage with flippant response to revelation that he earns £1.8MILLION a year with BBC
GARY Lineker sparked fury on Twitter today after joking it was an “outrage” that his £1.8million BBC salary is less than Chris Evans’.
The BBC has been accused of having a gender pay gap after a list of its top earners was published this morning.
But Match of the Day presenter Lineker’s dry quip sparked a backlash from followers who accused him of being “shallow” and “gloating”.
Grace Mitchell said: “This is the greediest, self-indulgent thread I’ve ever seen. You’re all on far too much for what you do!”
Karl Rhodes said: “Absolutely no need to gloat. I think keeping quiet would have been more prudent. Now you just look shallow.”
Ian Fisher wrote: “Imagine all those skilled doctors and nurses we could fund with your unskilled job money.”
Brandon Yates wrote: “That’s it lad you have a good laugh about it when it’s the public paying for it.”
Richard Maunders said: “How can any of you be paid more than a nurse, fireman, or teacher for that matter? What exactly do you do of value to society?”
Earlier today Lineker joked that he would need a “tin helmet” in preparation for the inevitable backlash over top stars’ salaries.
But some big names were notably absent from the list of 96, including A-lister and Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch and Top Gear host Matt LeBlanc.
Others pointed to the apparent gender gap after the list revealed top earner Evans’ £2.2million salary was four times that of the BBC’s highest-paid woman Claudia Winkleman.
The list also revealed sports presenter Clare Balding, regularly praised for her broadcasting, is on between £150k and £199k compared to higher-paid male colleagues.
Daniel Bates wrote: “Come on Gary, there’s some serious issues here. Why should @clarebalding earn 10x less than you? Are you 10x as good a presenter?”
In the wake of the onslaught, a sheepish Lineker tweeted: “The great British trait of the Great British public is that they never lose their sense of humour.”
The corporation has revealed its “talent list” which showcases its high-earners bringing in more than £150,000 so license fee payers can see where their money is going.
The list was due to be released at 11am, but it leaked online beforehand.
The BBC's biggest earners - according to the list
- Chris Evans – up to £2.5m
- Gary Lineker – up to £1.8m
- Graham Norton – up to £900,000
- Jeremy Vine – up to £750,000
- John Humphrys – up to £640,000
- Huw Edwards – up to £600,000
- Steve Wright – up to £550,000
- Claudia Winkleman – up to £500,000
- Matt Baker – up to £500,000
- Alan Shearer – up to £450,000
- Nicky Campbell – up to £450,000
- Alex Jones – up to £450,000
Only a third of its top earners are women, sparking an equality row which Director-General Tony Hall has vowed to address.
Among its top earners were Evans on £2.2m, Lineker on £1.8m, Graham Norton on £899k and Jeremy Vine on £750k.
Its highest-earning woman was Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia Winkleman on £499k.
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