BBC stars’ salaries revealed – Chris Evans tops the BBC money league with a staggering £2.2MILLION annual salary

THE BBC has revealed that Chris Evans is its highest-paid star earning £2.2million a year - four times more than its highest paid woman, Claudia Winkleman.

The corporation has revealed its "talent list" which showcases its high-earners bringing in more than £150,000 so license fee payers can see where their money is going.

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The list was due to be released at 11am, but it leaked online beforehand.

Only a third of its top earners are women, sparking an equality row which Director-General Tony Hall has vowed to address.

He said the publication of top salaries was a "bad idea" because it could tempt other broadcasters with deep pockets to poach stars.

Despite the huge salaries, the BBC 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.

However the figures will be closely scrutinised as the BBC receives about £3.7billion every year from the TV licence fee.

In April the fee increased for the first time since 2010, to £147 a year from £145.50.

Here are the BBC's top 12 earners...

Chris Evans: £2.25million

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Gary Lineker: £1.8million

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Graham Norton: £899,000

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Jeremy Vine: £750,000

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John Humphrys: £640,000

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Huw Edwards: £600,000

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Steve Wright: £550,000

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Claudia Winkleman: £499,000

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Matt Baker: £500,000

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Alan Shearer: £450,000

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Nicky Campbell: £450,000

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Alex Jones: £450,000

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However despite the list being released today, there are concerns that is does not tell the full story.

For example it is reported that Graham Norton earns £2.5million, but on the list he is only said to earn up to £899,000.

This is because he is paid predominantly through his production company.

The BBC claims its stars are paid at "discount" rates compared to the rest of the market.

Speaking ahead of the announcement, Lord Hall said he was "satisfied" that all 96 named were worth what they were being paid.

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker claimed that he had turned down higher pay offers from commercial broadcasters.

Writing on Twitter, the former England striker said he had stuck with the BBC "because I love and value my job and BBC sport".

Here is the full list, broken down by department and in £50,000 pay bands

TV non scripted (factual and entertainment)

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• £400,000 – £449,999 Alex Jones – Presenter
• £350,000 – £399,999 Tess Daly – Presenter
• £300,000 – £349,999 Nick Knowles – Presenter
• £200,000 – £249,999 Gary Barlow – Contributor, Len Goodman – Contributor, Danii Minogue – Contributor, Bruno Tonioli – Contributor, Alan Yentob – Presenter
• £150,000 – £199,999 Darcey Bussell – Contributor, Mel Giedroyc – Presenter, Craig Horwood – Contributor, Paul Martin – Presenter, Simon Schama – Presenter

News and current affairs

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• £300,000 – £349,999 Eddie Mair – Presenter
• £250,000 – £299,999 George Alagiah – Presenter, Nicholas Robinson – Presenter
• £200,000 – £249,999 Victoria Derbyshire – Presenter, Mishal Husain – Presenter, Martha Kearney – Presenter, Laura Kuenssberg – Correspondent, Andrew Neil – Presenter, Jonathan Sopel – Correspondent
• £150,000 – £199,999 Kamal Ahmed – Correspondent, Jeremy Bowen – Correspondent, Ben Brown – Presenter, Mark Easton – Correspondent, Gavin Esler – Presenter, James Naughtie – Correspondent, John Pienaar – Correspondent, Sophie Raworth – Presenter, John Simpson – Correspondent, Kirsty Wark – Presenter, Justin Webb – Presenter

TV scripted (drama and comedy)

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• £350,000 – £399,999 Derek Thompson – Actor
• £250,000 – £299,999 Amanda Mealing – Actor
• £200,000 – £249,999 Peter Capaldi – Actor, Danny Dyer – Actor, Emilia Fox – Actor, David Jason – Actor, Rosie Marcel – Actor, Adam Woodyatt – Actor
• £150,000 – £199,999 Laurie Brett – Actor, Letitia Dean – Actor, Tameka Empson – Actor, Guy Henry – Actor, Linda Henry – Actor, Scott Maslen – Actor, Diane Parish – Actor, Hugh Quarshie – Actor, Jemma Redgrave – Actor, Tim Roth – Actor, Catherine Shipton – Actor, Gillian Taylforth – Actor, Lacey Turner – Actor

Sport

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• £1,750,000 – £1,799,999 Gary Lineker – Presenter
• £400,000 – £449,999 Alan Shearer – Presenter
• 300,000 – £349,999 Sue Barker – Presenter
• £250,000 -£299,999 Jason Mohammad – Presenter
• £200,000 – £249,999 John Inverdale – Presenter, Gabby Logan – Presenter
• £150,000 – £199,999 Jonathan Agnew – Presenter and commentator, Clare Balding – Presenter, Jonathan Davies – Presenter, John McEnroe – Presenter and commentator

Multi genre

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• £2,200,000 – £2,249,999 Chris Evans – Presenter
• £850,000 – £899,999 Graham Norton – Presenter
• £700,000 – £749,999 Jeremy Vine – Presenter
• £600,000 – £649,000 John Humphrys – Presenter
• £550,000 – £599,999 Huw Edwards
• £450,000 – £499,999 Matt Baker – Presenter Claudia Winkleman – Presenter
• £400,000 – £449,000 Andrew Marr – Presenter Stephen Nolan – Presenter
• £350,000 – £399,999 Fiona Bruce – Presenter
• £250,000 – £299,999 Zoe Ball – Presenter Brian Cox – Presenter Evan Davis – Presenter
• £200,000 – £249,999 Mark Chapman – Presenter Jools Holland – Presenter Dan Walker – Presenter
• £150,000 – £199,999 Naga Munchetty – Presenter and Contributor

Radio

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• £500,000 – £549,999 Steve Wright – Presenter
• £400,000 – £449,999 Nicky Campbell – Presenter
• £350,000 – £399,999 Vanessa Feltz – Presenter, Nicholas Grimshaw – Presenter, Simon Mayo – Presenter
• £300,000 – £349,999 Lauren Laverne – Presenter
• £250,000 – £299,999 Ken Bruce – Presenter, Scott Mills – Presenter, Trevor Nelson – Presenter
• £200,000 – £249,999 Mark Radcliffe – Presenter
• £150,000 – £199,999 Adrian Chiles – Presenter, Greg James – Presenter, Shaun Keaveny – Presenter, Moira Stuart – Presenter, Jo Whiley – Presenter

Specialist Contractors and Writers

• £150,000 – £199,999 Daryl Bramley – Programme Manager Colin Brown – Identity Architect Roy Clarke – Writer Patrick Foody – Analytics Architect Claire Hetherington – IT Programme Manager James Hewines – Technical Project Manager Daran Little – Writer Ruth Moreland – Project Manager Andy Pryor – Casting Manager Terence Reeves – Service Architect Noel Scotford – Programme Manager Richard Smith – Integration Lead