BBC salary list 2024: Zoe Ball replaced by Scott Mills on Radio 2 breakfast show

Scott Mills will replace Zoe Ball on her BBC Radio 2 show - ((James Manning/PA))

Zoe Ball is quitting as BBC Radio 2’s breakfast show host after six years “to focus on her family”, which will cause a major shake up to the lineup on the station.

Scott Mills has been confirmed as the replacement for Ball, having previously filled in for the regular host while she took time away from the programme earlier this year.

Ball is the second highest earner at the BBC and her departure follows the highest paid star, Gary Lineker, announcing he will leave Match of the Day at the end of the football season.

The BBC recently published details of the salaries of the top earners that showed former broadcaster Huw Edwards also picked up a large cheque in the year before he left in disgrace.

Here is how the pay packets of the Beeb’s top earners have grown and shrunk in the past 12 months.

Gary Lineker earns a sizeable income from his Goalhanger Podcasts title, which he founded in 2014 (John Walton/PA)

The BBC’s top salaries

Lineker took home £1.3 million to top the July 2024 list of all those earning more than £178,000. His salary was the same as the year before, although other people’s earnings fluctuated.

There are some big names missing though.

The broadcaster said: “Some famous BBC faces such as Michael McIntyre and Claudia Winkleman don't make the list as the BBC does not have to disclose the salaries of stars who are paid through production companies like BBC Studios, which is classed as a commercial entity.”

The top 10 earners at the BBC

All salaries are taken from the BBC’s 2023-24 list and are taken from the lowest end of the BBC’s estimate.

Gary Lineker on stage during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards in 2021 (PA Archive)

1. Gary Lineker (Match of the Day, Premier League, FA Cup, Sports Personality of the Year): £1.3m

2. Zoe Ball (Radio 2's Zoe Ball Breakfast Show): £950,000 (down from £980,000)

3. Huw Edwards (BBC News *left in April 2024): £475,000 (up from £435,000)

4. Greg James (BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show): £415,000 (up from £395,000)

5. Stephen Nolan (The Nolan Show on Radio Ulster): £405,000 (up from £400,000)

6. Fiona Bruce (Question Time and presenting on BBC1): £405,000 (up from £395,000)

7. Lauren Laverne (BBC Radio 6 Music): £395,000 (up from £390,000)

8. Alan Shearer (Match of the Day: Premier League, FA Cup): £380,000 (down from £445,000)

9. Naga Munchetty (BBC Breakfast, Radio 5 Live's Naga Munchetty Programme, Panorama) £345,000 (down from £335,000)

10. Nick Robinson (Radio 4’s Today Programme): £345,000 (up from £275,000)