DJ Scott Mills was identified as the highest-paid presenter at the BBC before his sacking in March 2026, according to the corporation's annual report. Mills, 53, earned approximately £745,000 prior to his exit, following allegations of historical sexual offences. Although he cooperated with a police investigation, he was not charged.
Top Earners at the BBC
Other prominent earners in the BBC included Greg James, Stephen Nolan, Laura Kuenssberg, Vernon Kay, and Alan Shearer. However, Gary Lineker's salary dropped significantly after leaving two months into the financial year. The latest annual report also highlighted a decline in TV licences, with 539,000 fewer licences in force compared to the previous year.
The total number of TV licences sold has decreased by 2 million over the past five years, from 25.3 million in 2020-21 to 23.3 million last year.
Scott Mills’ Salary and Departure
Mills' reported salary of £745,000 encompasses his full annual earnings from the BBC, which includes his time hosting the Radio 2 breakfast show and his work on various podcasts. This amount represents a significant increase from the £355,000 he earned the previous financial year, during which he hosted the Radio 2 afternoon show for ten months and the breakfast show for two months.
His predecessor, Zoe Ball, earned over £1.36 million during her first year presenting the Radio 2 morning show in 2019, but her earnings decreased over time. In fact, the BBC saved about £200,000 by replacing Ball with Mills.
Impact of Allegations on BBC Trust
The BBC's annual report comes at a time when the corporation faces multiple scandals, including controversies surrounding Bob Vylan's performance at Glastonbury and issues related to two Gaza documentaries. Samir Shah, the BBC chairman, acknowledged the challenges, stating, "We know that people care deeply about these mistakes. They affect confidence in our journalism, trust in the BBC as a public institution, and perceptions about how effectively we are held to account."
- Scott Mills' salary: £745,000
- Other top earners: Greg James, Stephen Nolan, Laura Kuenssberg
- Decline in TV licences: 2 million over five years
- Zoe Ball's first-year earnings: £1.36 million
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by BBC News. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
