NEW BBC Radio 2 breakfast show host Scott Mills will earn less than half of predecessor Zoe Ball.
Scott, 51, is understood to be getting a small pay rise to £450,000 a year — well below Zoe’s £950,000.
BBC bosses are under pressure to save and The Sun told this month how footie host Gary Lineker’s new deal to the 2026 World Cup involves a substantial pay cut.
Last night a source said: “The BBC is under enormous pressure to start making significant savings.
“BBC Director General Tim Davie is making it quietly known that the days of the huge seven figure salaries for its golden girls and boys are over.
“But it’s a real balancing act since, as a public broadcaster it needs, and wants, to attract top talent.
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“The fear is stars, already fed up of public scrutiny when their salaries are published, may defect to the streamers, or ITV.
“Scott, though, was genuinely thrilled to get the gig.
“He didn’t even ask about a pay rise.”
Scott said this week: “I don’t do it for the money but for the love . . . as I have done since I was 16.”
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Earlier this year the BBC came under huge criticism after it emerged they gave disgraced newsreader Huw Edwards a £40,000 pay rise after he had been arrested.