This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c07d082jpkko

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Lineker takes top spot on BBC earnings for eighth year running BBC sacks several people over 'abusive behaviour'
(about 1 hour later)
(left to right) Zoe Ball, Gary Lineker and Greg James The BBC has confirmed that several members of staff have been sacked following a recent review into the corporation's culture.
Former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has emerged as the BBC's top paid presenter for the eighth year running, the corporation's annual report shows. But Samir Shah, chairman of the BBC, acknowledged that some powerful individuals still make life "unbearable" for their colleagues.
His comments came as MasterChef was plunged into crisis, with a report on Monday upholding 45 allegations about Gregg Wallace's behaviour on the BBC show, and another against co-host John Torode of using racist language.
On Tuesday, the corporation released its annual report which revealed that former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker was the BBC's top paid presenter for the eighth year running.
Lineker earned between £1,350,000 - £1,354,99 in the last financial year, followed by former Radio 2 breakfast host Zoe Ball on £515,000 - £519,999.Lineker earned between £1,350,000 - £1,354,99 in the last financial year, followed by former Radio 2 breakfast host Zoe Ball on £515,000 - £519,999.
Lineker signed off from his final edition of Match of the Day in May after 26 years in the hot seat. He had been due to remain with the BBC to front coverage of the men's FA Cup and the World Cup, but in the end, left the corporation completely after apologising for reposting a social media post about Zionism that included an illustration considered antisemitic. The full list of star salaries
The report comes as the BBC confirmed that several members of staff have been dismissed following a review into the corporation's culture which was published in April. Some BBC stars behave unacceptably, report says
Speaking as the report was released, Shah acknowledged that over the past year, there had been a "string of revelations" about abuses of power at the BBC.
"Our staff are dedicated, hardworking and treat each other with respect," he said.
"However, there are pockets in the organisation where this is not the case. There are still places where powerful individuals - on and off-screen - can abuse that power lo make life for their colleagues unbearable."
Addressing the MasterChef controversy, BBC director general Tim Davie insisted the cooking show "absolutely" has a future, adding that it was "much bigger than individuals".
But he refused to say what would happen to the unseen series - which was filmed last year with both Wallace and Torode in it. Wallace has been sacked from the show.
Davie also did not comment on whether Torode would now also be sacked, saying that the production company Banijay was leading the process.
"The BBC, in some ways, we're quite simple on this, which is if someone is found to not live up to the values, we expect the independent company, Banijay in this case, to take action and report back to us on what they have done.
"These aren't BBC employees, but we absolutely expect action to be taken."
Wallace apologised after the inquiry reported back on Monday, while Torode said he had "no recollection" of the alleged incident, adding: "I do not believe that it happened."
John Torode says allegation he used racist language upheld in MasterChef reportJohn Torode says allegation he used racist language upheld in MasterChef report
Wallace 'sorry' after 45 claims against him upheldWallace 'sorry' after 45 claims against him upheld
The stars you won't see on the BBC salaries listThe stars you won't see on the BBC salaries list
BBC Pay 2024 - 2025: The full list of salaries How much is the BBC licence fee and who needs one?
Samir Shah, chairman of the BBC, acknowledged that over the past year, there had been a "string of revelations" about abuses of power in the workplace.
The comments came following a report on Monday which upheld 45 allegations about TV presenter Gregg Wallace's behaviour on BBC show MasterChef.
Later on Monday, Wallace's co-host John Torode said a separate allegation against him of using racist language had also been upheld, as part of the same inquiry.
In an Instagram post on Monday, Torode said the allegation was that he made the remarks in 2018 or 2019 and that he had apologised immediately afterwards.
However, the TV chef said he had "no recollection" of any of it, adding: "I do not believe that it happened."
He added that the allegation stated that the "person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards".
The BBC annual group report and accounts in full
Watch: Timeline of the allegations against Gregg WallaceWatch: Timeline of the allegations against Gregg Wallace
Star salariesStar salaries
As usual, the BBC's annual report does not paint the full picture of what star presenters at the BBC earn.As usual, the BBC's annual report does not paint the full picture of what star presenters at the BBC earn.
A huge number are not listed because the corporation does not have to make public the salaries of stars who are paid through its commercial arm BBC Studios or via independent production companies.A huge number are not listed because the corporation does not have to make public the salaries of stars who are paid through its commercial arm BBC Studios or via independent production companies.
Strictly speaking, the figures disclosed as part of the annual report are not "salaries" – but rather, relate to pay that individuals receive within the financial year.Strictly speaking, the figures disclosed as part of the annual report are not "salaries" – but rather, relate to pay that individuals receive within the financial year.
Lineker's salary remained the same as last year's, while Zoe Ball's has dropped from the previous year's £950,000-£954,999, reflecting her departure from the Radio 2 breakfast show to take up a new role fronting Saturday afternoons on the station. (left to right) Zoe Ball, Gary Lineker and Greg James
Lineker's salary is still included in the BBC's latest annual report as he's only just left, but next year he will no longer be included. Lineker signed off from his final edition of Match of the Day in May after 26 years in the hot seat. He had been due to remain with the BBC to front coverage of the men's FA Cup and the World Cup, but in the end, left the corporation completely after apologising for reposting a social media post about Zionism that included an illustration considered antisemitic.
Zoe Ball hosted her final Radio 2 breakfast show in December after six years in the slot, and earlier this year took up her new Saturday afternoon role. His salary remained the same as last year's, while Zoe Ball's has dropped from the previous year's £950,000-£954,999, reflecting her departure from the Radio 2 breakfast show to take up a new role fronting Saturday afternoons on the station.
Lineker's salary is still included in the BBC's latest annual report as he's only just left, but next year he will no longer be listed.
Zoe Ball hosted her final Radio 2 breakfast show in December after six years in the slot, and took up her new Saturday afternoon role in May.
Elsewhere, director general Tim Davie's salary has gone up by £20k from last year (£527k) to £547k, representing a 3.8% pay rise.Elsewhere, director general Tim Davie's salary has gone up by £20k from last year (£527k) to £547k, representing a 3.8% pay rise.
Zoe Ball signed off from her final Radio 2 Breakfast show in DecemberZoe Ball signed off from her final Radio 2 Breakfast show in December
The BBC's licence fee is set by the culture secretary.The BBC's licence fee is set by the culture secretary.
This year income generated by the licence fee increased from £3.7 to £3.8bn after inflation.This year income generated by the licence fee increased from £3.7 to £3.8bn after inflation.
The report stated there was a drop in the number of households paying for the licence fee, from 23,131,000 in 2024 to 22,772,000 in 2025 - a drop of 359,000.The report stated there was a drop in the number of households paying for the licence fee, from 23,131,000 in 2024 to 22,772,000 in 2025 - a drop of 359,000.
This represents a decline of 1.56%, compared with last year's figure of 1.26%. This represents a decline of 1.56%, compared with last year's drop of 1.26%.
That number is holding up fairly well, declining less quickly than might be expected given the competition from streaming services.That number is holding up fairly well, declining less quickly than might be expected given the competition from streaming services.
The report also revealed 50% of UK adults think the BBC is effective at providing news and current affairs that is impartial, an uptick of 5% on last year's 45% of those surveyed. The report also revealed 50% of UK adults think the BBC is effective at providing impartial news and current affairs, an uptick of 5% on last year's 45% of those surveyed.
A further 63% of UK adults think the BBC is effective at providing news and current affairs is accurate, compared to last year's 59%. A further 63% of UK adults think the BBC is effective at providing accurate news and current affairs, compared to last year's 59%.
The number of adults using BBC services weekly last year declined slightly from 75% to 74%, though 70% of under 16s use BBC services including TV, iPlayer, radio and online content on a weekly basis.The number of adults using BBC services weekly last year declined slightly from 75% to 74%, though 70% of under 16s use BBC services including TV, iPlayer, radio and online content on a weekly basis.
Of those platforms, iPlayer is the fastest growing platform for long-form content.Of those platforms, iPlayer is the fastest growing platform for long-form content.
The report also showed that 10 out of 10 of Christmas Day top shows were from the BBC - but that includes King's speech which is also broadcast on other channels.The report also showed that 10 out of 10 of Christmas Day top shows were from the BBC - but that includes King's speech which is also broadcast on other channels.
The BBC annual group report and accounts in full
The BBC's annual report comes in the wake of a series of controversies faced by the corporation. As well as Masterchef, they include Glastonbury and the decision to broadcast Bob Vylan's set.The BBC's annual report comes in the wake of a series of controversies faced by the corporation. As well as Masterchef, they include Glastonbury and the decision to broadcast Bob Vylan's set.
Earlier this year, a documentary, Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone, was pulled from iPlayer after it emerged its 13-year-old narrator was the son of a Hamas official.Earlier this year, a documentary, Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone, was pulled from iPlayer after it emerged its 13-year-old narrator was the son of a Hamas official.
On Monday, a report concluded the documentary breached editorial guidelines on accuracy.On Monday, a report concluded the documentary breached editorial guidelines on accuracy.
It stated the BBC bears "some responsibility" for "not being sufficiently proactive" in the early stages of the project, and for a "lack of critical oversight of unanswered or partially answered questions" - although the party with most responsibility for this failure". It stated the BBC bears "some responsibility" for "not being sufficiently proactive" in the early stages of the project, and for a "lack of critical oversight of unanswered or partially answered questions" - although the report said the independent film company behind it, Hoyo Films, bore the most responsibility for this failure.