Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Try GOLD - Free
Lineker and Ball top BBC pay list
Evening Standard
|July 23, 2024
Highest earners revealed as boss faces grilling over Strictly controversy
THE BBC unveiled its league of top earners — with Gary Lineker again taking first place on about £1.3 million — as it faced increasing pressure over its flagship show Strictly Come Dancing.
Director General Tim Davie was expected to mount a vigorous defence of the hit show today amid the controversy over its treatment of its celebrity contestants.
Its presenters, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, were absent from the corporation’s published accounts as both are paid through production companies which means the BBC is not compelled to publish their salaries. Also missing are key figures on the show such as judges Motsi Mabuse and Anton du Beke.
One person who is included is Daly’s husband Vernon Kay, who earns between £320,000 and £324,999 for his mid-morning show and Dance Sounds of the 90s on Radio 2. But his pay packet is dwarfed by his Radio 2 colleague Zoe Ball whose Breakfast Show earns her between £950,000 and £954,999.
This story is from the July 23, 2024 edition of Evening Standard.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Evening Standard
The London Standard
Why we all fell in love with zany fashion
From JW Anderson's bronze peaches to Loewe's playful bags, the style set have got their sense of humour back.
4 mins
January 22, 2026
The London Standard
The ultimate London guide for first-time buyers
From new-builds to no-deposit mortgages, how to make the most of lower prices.
7 mins
January 22, 2026
The London Standard
A SAUNTER AROUND SYDNEY WITH RICK STEIN
The chef and TV star adores the fish at Margaret, knows where to take a shark- proof swim and loves a bar crawl in Surry Hills - preferably to the sound of Cold Chisel
4 mins
January 22, 2026
The London Standard
'I DON'T WANT TO BE IDOLISED, BUT IF PEOPLE IDOLISE ME, I CAN'T HELP IT'
As she conquers the UK charts, Nigerian megastar Tems talks about working with Rihanna, amplifying the voices of African women and flying the flag for real music
7 mins
January 22, 2026
The London Standard
Inside the battle for the soul of music and the search for an antidote to AI-generated slop
Neo soul singer Sienna Rose is the full package.
2 mins
January 22, 2026
The London Standard
'When I was at my lowest ebb, that hour of connection and hot lunch meant everything'
As our final appeal total hits £2.65m, we meet a client of a charity your support helps
4 mins
January 22, 2026
The London Standard
Labour's policies are pushing restaurants over the edge — I've never seen it so bad _
I remember first coming to this incredible city years ago, and in the past three decades I've seen many talented chefs carving out their reputations, open amazing restaurants - but now the industry is facing a bloodbath.
4 mins
January 22, 2026
The London Standard
Alas, poor Hamnet - it's a beautiful film but the storyline is utter tosh
Chloe Zhao's adaptation of the Maggie O'Farrell novel Hamnet has had rave reviews, so I could not wait to see it.
3 mins
January 22, 2026
The London Standard
Pochettino holds real appeal as the unifying force at Tottenham
The club’s former boss has made no secret of his desire to return to the helm one day.
2 mins
January 22, 2026
The London Standard
'I HAD SOMETHING I NEEDED TO EXPRESS ... NOT BEING ABLE TO WAS KILLING ME'
Jacob Alonhasjustscooped the 2026 Brits Critics' Choice Awardand with their intimately hauntingfolk, the young Scottish singersongwriter may be the hottest new talentin years.
6 mins
January 22, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size