Gary Lineker named BBC's highest earner for the final time
Radio presenter Zoe Ball was the second highest-paid, earning between £515,000 and £519,999, for her work on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, which she left on December 20 last year.
Ball has since returned to a new Saturday afternoon show on the station, which she began hosting in May 2025.
Match Of The Day pundit Alan Shearer was the third-highest earner with a salary of between £440,000 and £444,999.
The former Newcastle United striker will continue to analyse football on the BBC in the new season with Match Of The Day's incoming presenters Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan.
His pay also covered work on the BBC's coverage of European football competitions, such as the Uefa Champions League.
BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show presenter Greg James came fourth on the list, earning between £425,000 and £429,999, for work which also included his Radio 4 show Rewinder, while Fiona Bruce and Nick Robinson were the joint fifth-highest earners, with both earning between £410,000 and £414,999.
Bruce's pay covered her work on Question Time and other presenting work on BBC One and coverage of the UK general election, while Robinson's included his presenting work, Political Thinking and Today podcasts, and his work covering the UK general election.
The publication of salaries comes after former England striker Lineker left his presenting role earlier than planned following a social media row after he shared a post about Zionism which featured a depiction of a rat, historically an antisemitic insult.
Lineker issued an unreserved apology for the incident, and will no longer front the BBC's coverage of the 2026 World Cup or the FA Cup next season.
The rest of the top 10 was made up of BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Stephen Nolan, who earned between £405,000 and £409,999, TV presenter Laura Kuenssberg, who earned between £395,000 and £399,999, BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay, who earned between £390,000 and £394,999, and journalist Justin Webb, who earned between £365,000 and £369,999.
The annual report and salary reveal comes as the BBC has made headlines over its coverage of the Glastonbury Festival, the Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone documentary, and a report into Gregg Wallace's behaviour on MasterChef.
On Monday, Wallace's MasterChef co-host John Torode confirmed he had a standalone allegation of racist language upheld in the same report.
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Metro
29 minutes ago
- Metro
John Torode doesn't remember using racist language - that's a problem
'Why am I not allowed on this boat?', a drunken man screamed at the security team of an anchored pub boat in London at an event I attended back in 2013. His glazed eyes and aversion to balance gave away that he was well over the limit. And then, he spotted me, cradling a pint of cider. 'Why is this p*ki allowed on?', he spat, making sure he enunciated the slur, his eyes burning into mine. I froze: embarrassed at the attention now on me from stunned bystanders and scared he would get past security and attack me. Instead of responding right away, I looked around at my friends, all of whom were white and sitting in equally shocked silence. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video He was taken off the boat and we carried on drinking. That was 12 years ago and it's stayed with me since. It's horrible to think about, and even more horrible to know that chances are that the man who racially abused me does not remember or care. It came flooding back when I heard John Torode, a now-former MasterChef presenter, confirm that he had an allegation of using racist language upheld in a report that focused on the inappropriate behaviour of his co-host Gregg Wallace. And reading Torode, who denies the allegation, claiming he has 'no recollection' of it, takes me back to this moment on the boat. It seems those on the receiving end don't have the privilege to simply forget having this type of language used against them, whereas the alleged perpetrator can go on with their lives. In Torode's case, that means that despite the report upholding the allegation, he feels comfortable saying 'I do not believe that it happened.' The incident, which took place in what was Torode's workplace, reminded me of a former job when a manager at my work told me she wanted to tan on holiday, but 'not too much, just Sharan's skin tone amount'. I regularly replay it in my head – not only the disgusting comment, but the fact that she appeared to think nothing of it and simply went on with her day. I raised it much later, instead of right away, because, as a person of colour, I'm regularly made to feel like any feelings I have about racialised language is 'over the top' or that I'm 'being sensitive'. There was an attempt to bury it with an apology, which I never got – they just ignored it until it went away, and I was too concerned to 'rock the boat' to push for any justice. I imagine the contestant who made the allegation against Torode may have faced similar hurdles and felt that similar sense of helplessness. While Torode has now been sacked, it seems clear that a wider problem here is being avoided. And that is that using racist language is so normalised, it can be forgotten or dismissed so easily. This shouldn't be the end of the matter, and I want to know what is being done to make a change in the systems upholding this behaviour, at the BBC and other institutions. With Gregg Wallace facing complaints of making sexually inappropriate comments and now Torode's alleged racial language, it seems like the MasterChef kitchen was a toxic environment to be in – specifically for women of colour. There needs to be a more secure system of accountability in spaces that evidently need all the help they can get to become safe. If the BBC are hellbent on being more diverse, they need to create a space that values diversity, not to dump women of colour in unsafe situations. We are not 100% sure what Torode is alleged to have said, but BBC director general Tim Davie described it as a 'serious racist term which does not get to be acceptable in any way shape or form', which doesn't leave much to the imagination. Being on the receiving end of any form of racist language would be devastating – as I know all too well. Completing a report is not enough for the BBC – they need to make changes to ensure this behaviour is no longer normalised. Racist and sexual misconduct – they have no place in our lives, and knowing it is happening behind closed doors, then brushed under the carpet, is upsetting to say the least. It's a sad time when we have to say this, but having to train people, no matter how rich, famous, or powerful they are, on sexual and racist misconduct in the workplace is a must. More Trending Because I still remember what happened to me, every time it has. And there have been countless times I've had racist comments burned into my memory and ignored by others. We need to stop pretending this is OK, and we absolutely should not move past it. View More » We must confront these issues head-on and not allow them to be shrugged off or ignored. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: Sky's Dermot Murnaghan 'mistakenly thought he was being tested for prostate cancer' before stage 4 diagnosis MORE: The Great British Sewing Bee is back – but I miss Kiell Smith-Bynoe MORE: The two presenters MasterChef must now hire after Gregg Wallace and John Torode debacle
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Exclusive: Universal's $775 million Downtown bid faces EU antitrust investigation, sources say
BRUSSELS, July 16 (Reuters) - Universal Music Group ( opens new tab unit Virgin Music Group's $775 million acquisition of Downtown Music faces a full-scale EU antitrust investigation on concerns about its impact on competition, three people with direct knowledge of the matter said. Virgin Music announced the deal last December, triggering criticism from a wide swathe of European independent labels. Virgin had until Tuesday to offer remedies to address regulatory worries during the deal's review but did not provide them, according to an update on the European Commission website. The Commission, which acts as the EU competition enforcer, declined to comment. Its preliminary review of the deal ends on July 22. It will kick off its full-scale, four-month investigation following that, the people, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter, said. A Virgin Music spokesperson declined to comment on the potential antitrust investigation, saying that the Commission has not announced a decision. The company will continue to work constructively with the Commission and "address the wilful misrepresentation of market data by self-interested parties who represent a tiny fraction of the thousands of independent labels that make up the broader independent community globally", the spokesperson said. He said the initial projected timeframe of the second half of 2025 to close the deal remains unchanged. Universal is the world's biggest music company, while Downtown owns a major music publisher and a number of other businesses that help musicians collect royalties. European independent music label group Impala, the European Composer and Songwriter Alliance (ECSA) and the Worldwide Independent Network have urged the EU antitrust watchdog to examine the deal and to even block it if necessary. They said the acquisition would further entrench Universal's position across European music markets and strengthen its control over market access for independent labels.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside MasterChef production company's ‘mortifying' summer party just hours after John Torode sacking
His exit follows the release of a report that upheld 45 of 83 allegations of bad behaviour against his co-host Gregg Wallace THE production company behind scandal-hit MasterChef was left blushing last night as the BBC show's latest behind-the-scenes drama overshadowed its big summer party. Just hours before Banijay UK hosted its 'Summer Showcase' event at The Brewery in London, John Torode was axed from the programme. Advertisement 5 John Torode's MasterChef exit overshadowed Banijay UK's summer party, attendees have claimed Credit: BBC 5 The party was held at London's The Brewery Credit: Alamy The Australian chef, 59, who has hosted the show since 2005 was sacked for a racist comment he allegedly made seven years ago, which he has no recollection and denied ever saying. Guests at the bash called the ill-timed night "the most awkward thing ever" and said that Torode's exit was all anyone could talk about. An insider told The Sun: 'It couldn't have happened on a worse day. Obviously it had been in the diary for months but it was so embarrassing for the big bosses at Banijay. "It was billed as their big showcase where they show off all their upcoming shows, and they have everyone there from production staff to stakeholders and commissioners from all the key channels. Advertisement "Unfortunately, given that they announced the sacking of John Torode just hours before the party kicked off, it was all anyone could talk about. It was the most awkward party ever. "The MasterChef situation was the gossip of the night, on what should have been an occasion to celebrate the company's successes and crow about what they had coming up. "The big wigs didn't want to cancel it as that wouldn't have been a good look, but the powers that be couldn't wait for it to be over.' Banijay UK declined to comment. Advertisement BBC bosses branded the term Torode allegedly used "extremely offensive". His exit followed the release of a report that upheld 45 of 83 allegations of bad behaviour against his co-host Gregg Wallace, who was axed last week. 'We'll never work with him again', blast BBC as Gregg Wallace report reveals 'substantial' allegations over 19 YEARS The dossier also upheld a complaint that an unnamed person used a racial phrase once several years ago. BBC's MasterChef meltdown Advertisement Torode confirmed to The Sun it referred to him, but said: 'I have absolutely no recollection of this, and I do not believe that it happened.' Not long after Torode had spoken out, a BBC spokesperson said: 'John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language against him. "This allegation – which involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace- was investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by the law firm, Lewis Silkin. "John Torode denies the allegation. He has stated he has no recollection of the alleged incident and does not believe that it happened. Advertisement "He also says that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. 'The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously. We will not tolerate racist language of any kind and, as we have already said, we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken. "John Torode's contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.' Banijay wrote a statement which added: "In response to John Torode's statement, it is important to stress that Banijay UK takes this matter incredibly seriously. Advertisement "The legal team at Lewis Silkin that investigated the allegations relating to Gregg Wallace also substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against John Torode which occurred in 2018. 5 Torode's former co-host Gregg Wallace was also axed from the show Credit: PA 5 Torode has presented MasterChef since 2005 Credit: Shine Ltd 5 Torode with his wife Lisa Faulkner Credit: PA:Press Association Advertisement "This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint. "Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef." Torode, who has hosted the BBC1 cooking show with Wallace since 2005, was shocked to be told of the allegation — which did not receive a complaint at the time but had been raised with investigators. MASTERCHEF SCANDAL TIMELINE 2005 to 2011: Problems with MasterChef began way back in the mid-2000s, with 27 substantiated claims made against host Gregg Wallace regarding alleged incidents in this period, according to a report by law firm Lewis Silkin. Most of these were related to sexually explicit comments, although one allegation of unwanted physical contact in this period was also substantiated. The same report found there was a failure by the production company to retain records of any actions taken during this time. 2012 to 2018: Another 17 allegations were upheld from this period, according to the report. The production company behind MasterChef investigated an allegation about Wallace's behaviour in 2015 - but he was not made aware of the complaint. In 2016, the production company merged with Endemol, introducing more formal policies as well as regular training and anonymous reporting lines. The BBC intervened in response to a complaint in 2017, after which Wallace was then warned to change his behaviour. 2019 to 2024: One substantiated complaint about an inappropriate comment was from this time period. November 2024: Wallace faces allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people across a 17-year period on a range of TV shows. He steps away from presenting MasterChef while Banijay - the show's production company - announces it will conduct an external review to 'fully and impartially investigate' the claims against him. Some of these allegations included Wallace 'talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to 'give her a fashion show', and telling a junior female colleague he was not wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans'. Banijay UK also confirms it has appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead the investigation into Wallace's alleged behaviour. December 2024: Wallace posts a video on Instagram which claims accusations against him making sexual comments towards staff and guests have come from 'middle-class women of a certain age'. His remarks are widely panned as "inappropriate and misogynistic', causing Wallace to apologise for any 'offence' or 'upset' he caused with his remarks, saying he will 'take some time out'. Co-host John Torode says he 'loves being part of' the show and 'will continue to be a part of it'. July 8 to 9, 2025: Wallace is sacked as MasterChef presenter following an enquiry into his alleged misconduct by Banijay. In an Instagram post, the former greengrocer claimed he had been cleared of the 'most serious and sensational accusations' against him, ahead of the published review. He also said he recognised that some of his humour and language was inappropriate 'at times' and apologised for this. July 14, 2025: Lewis Silkin publishes its report, on behalf of Banijay. It says that a total of 45 out of the 83 allegations made against Wallace during his time on the show were substantiated, including one allegation of 'unwelcome physical contact'. It concludes that the 'majority of the substantiated allegations against Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour', adding that 'a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated'. In the wake of the report's findings, Banijay says that 'Wallace's return to MasterChef (is) untenable'. July 15, 2025: Co-host Torode is sacked after allegedly making a racist remark while on the show. BBC bosses axe the TV host and slam an "extremely offensive" term, which was raised in the bombshell report into Gregg Wallace's "inappropriate behaviour". Torode says the comment - which the report attributed to an unnamed person - referred to him, but added: 'I have absolutely no recollection of this, and I do not believe that it happened.' 'SHOCKED AND APPALLED' It is understood to be the only issue involving him in the report, though a source close to him said he is 'absolutely devastated to have been pulled into this mess'. Advertisement They went on: 'He was at drinks after filming when he is alleged to have used an inappropriate racial term. "The witness said he apologised instantly, and he was mortified. 'The witness even stated he didn't use the term as a slur. 'No one complained at the time, but it's been brought up during the inquiry. Advertisement "Shockingly he was only made aware of the incident two weeks ago and was only informed on Friday that it would be upheld." The BBC called John on Thursday night, followed by an email on Friday, asking him to step back. He was told to have his answer by Monday. A source claimed: 'They ambushed him, and it was suggested he quit due to the stress and scrutiny of the furore around the show. Advertisement 'Obviously he was absolutely shocked and appalled and told them quite firmly he didn't have any mental health issues. "To try to use mental health as a get-out clause seems incredibly low — and is also deeply unfair to those with genuine mental health trauma. What did the report find? FORTY-five allegations made against Gregg Wallace during his time on MasterChef, including one of "unwelcome physical contact", were found to have been substantiated. An independent report commissioned by production company Banijay assessed 83 allegations against Wallace. The report substantiated: - Twelve claims he made inappropriate jokes and innuendo; - Sixteen reports he made sexually explicit comments; - Two allegations that he made sexualised comments to or about someone; - Four complaints that he made culturally insensitive or racist comments; - Three claims that he was in a state of undress; - Seven allegations of bullying; - One allegation of unwanted touching. The allegations span from 2005 to 2024 'John absolutely loves MasterChef, and doesn't want to lose his job because of an investigation into his co-star.' Melbourne-born John moved to the UK in 1991 and started working in London restaurants including Quaglino's. Advertisement It was there he met greengrocer Wallace, who provided their veg. He started cooking on This Morning in 1996 before he and Wallace began hosting the revamped MasterChef in 2005. GREGG WALLACE SCANDAL The bombshell inquiry, carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin for production company Banijay, unveiled a litany of complaints against Gregg Wallace. The report found out of the 83 allegations against the host, 45 were substantiated. Advertisement Most of them involved inappropriate sexual language and humour. Of the substantiated claims regarding Wallace, some related to other inappropriate language, being in a state of undress, and one case of unwanted physical contact. The report concluded 94 per cent of the allegations against Wallace related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018. There was one substantiated allegation after 2018. Advertisement
