Gary Lineker jokes he’s going to need a ‘tin helmet’ as BBC reveals nearly 100 of its stars are paid more than the Prime Minister
The corporation revealed for the first time its talent list of 96 of the biggest high-earners
BBC star Gary Lineker has joked that he will need a "tin helmet" due to the inevitable backlash as the corporation reveals its top earners.
Bosses at the broadcaster today released the names of all those at the company earning more than £150,000 - with the Match of the Day star among them on £1.8million.
The ex-footballer tweeted this morning: "Happy BBC salary day.
"I blame my agent and the other TV channels that pay more. Now where did I put my tin helmet?"
Following his tweet, Lineker was backed by Lord Sugar who presents The Apprentice on the BBC.
He wrote: "You should not worry. You are in a market where presenters are paid at going rates ITV CH 4 pay more than the BBC.
"You have shown loyalty."
The stars on the list earn more than Prime Minster Theresa May, who is paid £149,440.
BBC director Tony Hall, speaking ahead of today's announcement on BBC Radio 4, said: "The total is down by £5million on last year and that is consistent with what we have been doing over the last four years, which has been constantly reducing it.
"I completely understand that to lots and lots of people these are very large sums.
"But we are a global broadcaster in a very competitive market and we have to be competitive - but not foolishly.
"No-one would want us to be paying sums where it's not at a discount on the market.
"People expect us to have great broadcasters, great presenters, great stars, but pay them less than they would get on the market.
"Getting that discount right is very important."
The backlash on social media was heavily critical of stars.
However many were also supportive of the BBC.
Lord Hall described the publication of top salaries, which was opposed by the BBC, as a "bad idea" because it could tempt other broadcasters with deep pockets to poach stars creating an inflationary effect on pay.
But he said it was "very, very difficult" to compare the rates paid to different individuals, as their responsibilities may vary widely even if their on-air roles are similar.
He acknowledged that there was a 10% gender pay gap between women and men at the BBC, but said this compared with 18% in UK society as a whole.
And he said: "I have said that by 2020 we will have equality between men and women on air and we will have the pay gap sorted out."
The BBC says the £150,000 salaries represent "less than a quarter of 1%" of its talent contracts last year.
Its bill for top talent was down by 10% year on year and a quarter over the last five years, Lord Hall said.
However the broadcaster is set to find itself in a gender row over how much more men are paid at the BBC than women.
In a video message to BBC staff, Lord Hall said the disclosures "highlight... the need to go further and faster on issues of gender and diversity" but said that the corporation was "pushing ... faster than any other major broadcaster".
The BBC, which lost the Great British Bake Off last year, said its overall talent bill was down by more than £4million to below £194million and its bill for senior managers has reduced from £78.5million in 2009 to £42.2million.
It receives about £3.7billion every year from the TV licence fee and in April the fee increased for the first time since 2010, to £147 from £145.50.