
Stephen Nolan drops down table of BBC's highest-earning stars
His pay packet for 2024/25 was in the same bracket as what he earned in 2023/24, when he was fifth in the pay rankings - but now there are six stars above him.
Each year the BBC publishes its annual report listing all presenters and staff who earned more than £178,000 in the previous financial year.
Only salaries that come directly from the licence fee are listed. Payments to presenters for other programmes made by independent production companies are not included.
Nolan received his bumper pay packet for his work on Radio Ulster's Nolan Show, his 5 Live programme and Nolan Live on BBC NI.
Gary Lineker, who left his job hosting Match of the Day in May after 26 years at the helm, was once again the highest paid BBC star in 2024/25. He earned between £1,350,000 and £1,354,999.
Second in the table was radio presenter Zoe Ball, who earned between £515,000 and £529,000, while Alan Shearer was the corporation's third highest paid broadcast talent, receiving between £440,000 and £444,999 for his work on Match of the Day.
Radio 1 Breakfast Show host Greg James had a pay packet of between £425,000 and £429,999, putting him fourth.
Nick Robinson, who presents BBC Radio 4's Today programme, and Question Time host Fiona Bruce both earned between £410,000 and £414,999 in 2024/25, coming in joint-fifth.
While no other on-air talent from Northern Ireland is included on the list of high earners, BBC NI Director Adam Smyth is included when it comes to staff salaries, earning between £178,000 and £184,999 in 2024/25.
The report comes at a time when the BBC is under intense scrutiny following a series on controversies.
These include a documentary on Gaza that was pulled after it emerged that the narrator was the son of a Hamas official and allegations of inappropriate behaviour made against MasterChef host Greg Wallace.
News Catch Up - Tuesday 15th July
There has also been criticism of BBC decision-making relating to controversial sets at Glastonbury, including one by Belfast rap trio Kneecap.
Questions have also been raised over the BBC's decision not to settle a libel case taken by former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, which the corporation lost resulting in Mr Adams being awarded substantial damages.
Tuesday's report shows that 94% of adults in the UK are now using BBC services, on average, every month, with the corporation contributing £4.9bn to the UK economy in 2024/25.
A total of £3.84bn was brought in via the licence fee in the last financial year, compared to £3.66bn in 2023/24.
The corporation also had a commercial income of £2.16bn, up from 2023/24's figure of £1.86bn.
Speaking to the media upon the publication of the report, BBC Director-General Tim Davie addressed some of the recent controversies.
On the Gaza documentary, he said: 'We're taking action to ensure proper accountability, and we're taking immediate steps to stop a failing like this being repeated.
'Now, overall, despite this mistake, I do want to credit thousands of people across the BBC who are delivering such brave, impartial journalism, despite immense challenges and very significant personal pressure.
"Personally, I remain utterly committed to delivering impartial coverage without fear or favour.'
Regarding an investigation which upheld 45 allegations made against Greg Wallace over inappropriate behaviour, Mr Davie said: 'We're not going to tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values.
"The industry needs to change, and we want to lead from the front. Myself and the BBC leadership team will not tolerate people who are behaving inappropriately.
'There is no place in or on the BBC for those who are not prepared to live by our values, whoever they are.'
Mr Davie added that 'we have already seen dismissals' over inappropriate behaviour at the corporation, but did not elaborate.
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