Key facts
- Scott Mills was the BBC's highest earner before his dismissal in March.
- Mills' salary for the financial year ending March 2026 was between £745,000 and £749,999.
- The BBC's annual report shows a drop of 539,000 TV licences in force.
- Gary Lineker's earnings significantly decreased after leaving the BBC.
- Many high-profile BBC stars are not listed as they are paid via production companies.
DJ Scott Mills was the highest-paid presenter at the BBC before his dismissal in March, according to the corporation's latest annual report. Mills, 53, earned approximately £745,000 for hosting the Radio 2 breakfast show until his exit, which followed accusations of historical sexual offences. He cooperated with a police investigation and was not charged.
The report for the financial year ending March 2026 shows Mills' salary was a significant increase from the £355,000 earned in the previous year. His predecessor, Zoe Ball, earned over £1.36 million in her first year presenting the breakfast show in 2019, with her salary reducing over time to just over £950,000 in her final full year.
Other top earners listed include Greg James, Stephen Nolan, Laura Kuenssberg, Vernon Kay, and Alan Shearer. Gary Lineker's earnings dropped significantly after leaving the BBC two months into the financial year. The report also noted a decrease of 539,000 TV licences in force, bringing the total to 23.3 million.
The annual salaries list is not exhaustive, as many prominent figures like Claudia Winkleman, Michael McIntyre, and Graham Norton are paid through production companies and are therefore not included in the direct BBC payments.