The annual top 10 list of the highest-paid presenters at the BBC for 2022-23 has been unveiled.
Right in the midst of what is one of the most highly-publicised national news stories at the moment, with the allegations against the unnamed BBC presenter grabbing every headline there is, the broadcaster has chosen now to publish its annual list of highest-paid stars.
The top 10 list comprises of six male and four female stars this year.
It may come as no surprise that Gary Lineker has been named as the BBC’s highest earner – taking home around £1.35 million in 2022-23, which is the same amount as the previous year.
Lineker’s ongoing presenting work on Match Of The Day, Sports Personality Of The Year, the World Cup, and the FA Cup lead to him keeping hold of the top spot on the list.
Image: BBCImage: BBCImage: BBC
BBC Radio 2 breakfast show presenter Zoe Ball is second on the list, again with an unchanged salary and earning between £980,000 and £984,999, while the rest of the top five is made up of former footballer turned sports presenter Alan Shearer, BBC News’ Huw Edwards, and BBC Radio 5 Live’s Stephen Nolan.
Other notable names on the top 10 list include former BBC News and current Question Time and Antiques Roadshow presenter Fiona Bruce, BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2 breakfast show presenters Greg James and Ken Bruce.
Ken Bruce is new to the top 10, along with Lauren Laverne and Sophie Raworth, and they enter the list in the place of Steve Wright, Vanessa Feltz, and Scott Mills – who all departed from their respective BBC shows within the last year.
Top 10 Highest-Paid BBC Presenters 2022-23
Gary Lineker – £1,350,000
Zoe Ball – £980,000
Alan Shearer – £445,000
Huw Edwards – £435,000
Stephen Nolan – £400,000
Fiona Bruce – £395,000
Greg James – £395,000
Ken Bruce – £390,000
Lauren Laverne – £390,000
Sophie Raworth – £365,000
Away from the top 10, other famous top earners include George Alagiah, Naga Munchetty, Amol Rajan, Laura Kuenssberg, Nicky Campbell, and Victoria Derbyshire.
As well as on-screen stars, the annual report also includes salary details for bosses within the corporation – the BBC’s director-general Tim Davie taking home between £525,000 and £529,999 in 2022-23.
Six male and four female stars make up this year’s highest earners / Credit: BBC
Speaking on the publishing of the annual list, Tim Davie said: “I am proud of the content we have delivered, from royal programming to wonderful sporting moments and coverage of the Ukraine war… [but] it remains a period of change, financial pressures, and great competition in the media market.
“Our task is not always easy and we have to make some difficult choices.
“But these are challenges we must embrace as we know that the BBC is needed now more than ever, in an age of polarisation and increasing disinformation.”
The north’s longest-running literary festival, Ilkley Literature Festival, has announced its 2026 line-up.
This year, a host of household names including politicians, national treasures, journalists, novelists, poets, historians, comedians, and academics will head to the quaint spa town of Ilkley for their annual literaty festival.
The festival will take place across 17 packed days from Friday 2 to Sunday 18 October 2026.
Andrew Davies, the maestro of literary adaptations such as House of Cards and Bridget Jones will open the festival, having finally turned his razor sharp pen on the most challenging subject of all: himself, with his memoir, An Unsuitable Boy.
Elsewhere, actress Rachael Stirling will be talking about her exceptional mother, Diana Rigg – icon of stage and screen and the subject of a new memoir, whilst Mark Foster, five-time Olympian, six-time World Champion and eight-time World Record holder, will be discussing his inspiring and moving memoir, My Double.
Image: Supplied
Poetry lovers can spend an evening with the Poet laureate, Simon Armitage, as he reads from his new translation of Gilgamesh, whilst much-loved poet Brian Bilston will take you on a whistle stop tour through the history of verse, reading from his new collection How to Lay an Egg with a Horse Inside.
Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth will discussing the secrets for a long and healthy life, whilst icon Dame Jacqueline Wilson will introducing her brand-new book, Esme Pepper, and talking about her career, writing over 120 books for children.
Erica Morris, Chief Executive of Word Up North, the producer of Ilkley Literature Festival, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming some of today’s most exceptional writers, thinkers and entertainers to Yorkshire this autumn. The festival has been encouraging curiosity, open dialogues and a shared love of words for over half a century.
"This year, as part of the National Year of Reading, we’re putting readers at the heart of the programme with a series of book club-style events - Page Turners Classic Fiction Club - celebrating some of the most compelling novels ever written from Wuthering Heights to The Wasp Factory. From dedicated fans to first-time readers, you can be sure of a warm Yorkshire welcome at Ilkley Literature Festival.”
Tickets go on general sale on Tuesday 25 August, with priority bookings open for Friends of the Festival a week before, on Wednesday 19 August. You can view the full lineup for the Ilkley Literature Festival and book your tickets here.
A state-of-the-art mobile planetarium is coming to Leeds city centre this summer
Clementine Hall
Get ready for an out-of-this-world experience Leeds.
The mobile planetarium will be popping up at Millennium Square where visitors can explore the wonders of the universe this summer.
Planetarium Go UK will arrive just next month, promising immersive astronomy and science-based experiences using the latest technology to capture the stunning far reaches of space.
The attraction employs high-resolution digital projections all housed within an impressive portable dome structure and will screen a programme of films for visitors of all ages.
Image: Supplied
From Friday 4 until Wednesday 26 September, Planetarium Go UK will host screenings every day between 11am and 6pm Sunday to Friday and 10am to 8pm on Saturdays.
José Jiménez, CEO of Planetarium Go UK said: “Our objective is clear: to bring science to places where it has not reached before.
“We want children, young people and families to enjoy an immersive experience that sparks scientific curiosity and brings the universe closer to everyday life, regardless of where they live.”
Image: Supplied
The planetarium is part of the programme of summer events which have taken place on Millennium Square this year, including another belting series of concerts and performances which attracted audiences of thousands.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, said: “Millennium Square continues to host an exciting and diverse programme of events and activities at the heart of the city centre each and every year and this summer has been no exception.
“Giving families the opportunity to explore the fascinating wonders of space and astronomy will be an incredible experience and will hopefully help to inspire the next generation of young scientists in Leeds.”
Tickets for Planetarium Go UK are priced from £8 and you can find out more and buy your tickets here.
Emily Sergeant -
12th July 2023 
