Gary Lineker still earned over £300,000 for his final few months at the BBC even after quitting when his position had become untenable amid anger over his social media post14:08, 14 Jul 2026Gary Lineker has still managed to find his way on to the latest BBC high earners list despite officially working for just two months. The corporation has revealed its annual report for 2025/26, and has published its annual list of the salaries of some of its highest-paid stars.The annual salaries list doesn't quite offer a complete picture of what BBC stars earn and only publishes the names of talent it pays directly. Income paid by BBC Studios or independent production company is not counted.Sacked Scott Mills replaces former Match of the Day host Gary, who had held the title of the BBC's highest-paid on-air personality for the previous eight years. He announced his decision to leave more than a year ago. He remains on the list, dropping out of the top 10 for the first time in a decade, after going two months into the financial year.He still managed to earn £325,000-£329,999 in his final months. He was previously the highest paid presenter on £1.35m a year. Other top earners at the BBC last year included Greg James, Stephen Nolan, Laura Kuenssberg, Vernon Kay and Alan Shearer.Gary stood down in May last year in the wake of another scandal. The 65-year-old left amid the backlash to a social media post on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It was confirmed that he left without a pay-off and he has gone on to sign new contracts with ITV and Netflix.The former England star remains a familiar face in the football world through his The Rest Is Football podcast, where he appears alongside colleagues Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.Lineker spoke about his Match of the Day departure on the podcast, saying: "Since I quit the BBC, or since I finished with the BBC is probably a better way of describing it, I've won more awards than in my life!" he said at the end of 2025 "I should have left 10 years ago!"The new figures released by the BBC today have revealed disgraced Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills doubling his salary to £750,000 before his shock sacking.It showed that after being made the new Radio 2 breakfast host at the start of last year, his salary jumped up from £355,000-£359,999 to a whopping £745,000-£749,999. However, the new pay packet did not last.The Mirror was first to reveal Mills had been axed by bosses over his “personal conduct” involving a historic relationship, after the BBC learned the alleged victim in a 2017 police investigation had been under 16. Mills had taken over the breakfast show in January 2025.The BBC has confirmed to the Mirror that Mills was not paid a severance package at the termination of his contract.The 53-year-old presenter is therefore believed to have received no additional pay or benefits over his contracted being terminated involuntarily.A police investigation was launched in 2016, which Mills said he "fully co-operated" with, before it was closed in 2019. Prosecutors decided there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.BBC salaries top 101) Scott Mills £745,000-£749,9992) Greg James £440,000-£444,9993) Stephen Nolan £425,000-£429,9994) = Laura Kuenssberg £405,000-£409,9994) = Vernon Kay £405,000-£409,9996) Alan Shearer £390,000-£394,9997) Justin Webb £375,000-£379,9998) Naga Munchetty £360,000-£364,9999) Fiona Bruce £345,000-£349,99910) Sophie Raworth £340,000-£344,999Article continues belowLike this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.
Gary Lineker appears on BBC high earners list despite quitting over a year ago
Gary Lineker still earned over £300,000 for his final few months at the BBC even after quitting when his position had become untenable amid anger over his social media post
583 words~3 min read
