Scott Mills Previously Hosted BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show
DJ Scott Mills was the highest paid presenter at the BBC before his dismissal earlier this year, according to the corporation's latest annual report.
The 53-year-old received approximately £745,000 for hosting the Radio 2 breakfast show until his departure in March, which followed allegations of historical sexual offences. Mills cooperated fully with a police investigation and was not charged.
Other notable top earners at the BBC last year included Greg James, Stephen Nolan, Laura Kuenssberg, Vernon Kay, and Alan Shearer. However, Gary Lineker’s salary saw a significant reduction after he left two months into the financial year.
The report also revealed a decline in TV licences in force, which dropped by 539,000 to 23.3 million during the last financial year.
The published annual salaries list does not represent the full earnings of top BBC talent, as only those paid directly by the corporation are named. Many well-known figures, such as Claudia Winkleman, Michael McIntyre, and Graham Norton, are excluded because they receive payments through production companies.
The Top Earners 2025-2026
Laura Kuenssberg (pictured interviewing Chancellor Rachel Reeves) was among the BBC's top earners
- Scott Mills (£745,000-£749,999)
- Greg James (£440,000-£444,999)
- Stephen Nolan (£425,000-£429,999)
- Laura Kuenssberg (£405,000-£409,999)
- = Vernon Kay (£405,000-£409,999)
- Alan Shearer (£390,000-£394,999)
- Justin Webb (£375,000-£379,999)
- Naga Munchetty (£360,000-£364,999)
- Fiona Bruce (£345,000-£349,999)
- Sophie Raworth (£340,000-£344,999)
The list includes only on-air talent and excludes BBC executives.
Since Mills was dismissed just days before the financial year ended, the £745,000 figure in the report represents nearly his full annual salary. This amount covers his time on the Radio 2 breakfast show and other BBC contributions, including several episodes of the podcast "Scott & Rylan's Pop: Top 10."
Sara Cox recently succeeded Mills as the host of Radio 2's breakfast show. The BBC has yet to announce a permanent replacement for her on the station's teatime slot.
In March, allegations surfaced accusing Mills of serious sexual offences involving a teenager under 16 in the late 1990s. A police investigation, initiated in 2016, was closed in 2019 after prosecutors determined there was insufficient evidence to proceed with charges. Mills stated he "fully co-operated" with the investigation.
Mills's salary in his final year was a substantial increase compared to the £355,000 he earned the previous financial year, during which he hosted Radio 2's afternoon show for ten months and the breakfast show for two months.
His predecessor on the breakfast show, Zoe Ball, earned more than £1.36 million in her first year presenting the slot in 2019. However, her salary decreased over six years, with her final full year on the show bringing in just over £950,000.
This transition resulted in the BBC saving approximately £200,000 when Mills replaced Ball. Ball is no longer listed among top earners and recently moved from Radio 2 to Greatest Hits Radio.
Changes in Match of the Day Presenters
Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates replaced Lineker on Match of the Day
For six years, Zoe Ball and former Match of the Day host Gary Lineker topped the BBC’s star salary list, but both left their respective roles last year.
Lineker departed the BBC last summer after sharing an Instagram reel containing an antisemitic illustration, for which he later apologized. Since then, he has signed contracts with ITV and Netflix.
Following his exit, Lineker’s role on Match of the Day was divided among three presenters, each earning significantly less than Lineker’s £1.3 million salary, even when combined.
Mark Chapman earned approximately £335,000, Gabby Logan £290,000, and Kelly Cates £215,000. Their salaries reflect a broad range of sports presenting duties across the BBC, not solely Match of the Day.
Laura Kuenssberg’s salary saw a slight increase this year, covering her Sunday morning programme, Weekend Newscast, and a weekly column on the website.
On Radio 4’s flagship Today programme, Justin Webb became the highest paid presenter, earning around £375,000 for hosting that show and the Americast podcast.
Nick Robinson’s salary decreased by about £80,000 in a year that saw the conclusion of the Today podcast, which he co-hosted.
Missing Names
Michael McIntyre is among the star names not to have his salary listed in the report
The star salaries list does not provide a comprehensive view of what top BBC talent earn, as many prominent figures are paid through production companies rather than directly by the BBC.
Consequently, stars such as Claudia Winkleman, Michael McIntyre, Graham Norton, Rylan Clark, and Stacey Solomon are absent from the published list.
Other notable omissions include Alex Jones, Romesh Ranganathan, Lord Sugar, Bradley Walsh, Paddy McGuinness, the Strictly Come Dancing judges, and the Dragons' Den investors.
The list only includes celebrities and executives paid directly by the BBC above the £178,000 threshold.
Some listed stars are only included for part of their BBC work. For example, Fiona Bruce appears in the top ten for earning £345,000 for hosting Question Time and news bulletins, but her salary for hosting Antiques Roadshow is not included.
- Who's missing from the BBC salaries list, and why?
- BBC sacked Scott Mills after learning alleged victim in police investigation was under 16
- scraps Bake Off episode starring Scott Mills
- Sara Cox replaces Scott Mills on Radio 2 breakfast show
