For the first time, the BBC has published the annual salaries of its highest paid stars.
The earnings of those making more than £150,000 has been included in the list, with BBC Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans at the top with a salary of more than £2million.
The information for the years 2016-17 was revealed in £50,000 bands.
John Humphrys earns between £600,000 and £649,000, for the morning news programme and other work, including presenting Mastermind.
Nick Robinson is on £250,000 to £299,000, ahead of female presenter Mishal Husain (£200,000 to £249,000), who also presents TV news for the corporation, but their colleague Sarah Montague does not make the £150,000 pay bracket.
Social media has had its say on the news. Though many are angered at the high pay packets, many have come to the defence of the BBC.
Why is Fiona Bruce paid 200k less than Huw Edwards? #BBCpay
— Beth Rigby (@BethRigby) July 19, 2017
Charlie out of Casualty earns more than Doctor Who. Hmm. Probably the only nurse who earns more than a doctor. #BBCsalaries #BBCpay
— Nick Harrison (@harrisharrison) July 19, 2017
I'm also truly shocked at the size of these BBC salaries.
They get out of bed for THAT?— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 19, 2017
BBC SALARIES (Soaps)
Highest paid actor:
Adam Woodyatt & Danny Dyer: £200k-£249k
Highest paid actress:
Lacey Turner (and others) £150k-£199k— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 19, 2017
The BBC deserves a serious reckoning for paying Midas-level salaries to overrated "talent" with taxpayer cash. Needs root and branch reform
— NeilMackay (@NeilMackay) July 19, 2017
Looking forward to John Humphrys interviewing himself with constant interruptions about whether he's worth his pay. #BBCsalaries #r4today
— Beverley Clack (@bevclack) July 19, 2017
Find it terribly hard to be offended by BBC salaries when the greatest broadcaster in the world costs a household less than 40p per day.
— Dave Phillips (@lovefutebol) July 19, 2017
Again, before you gasp at BBC pay, C4 Bake off presenters are all on more than £250,000 with 2 of them on a million.
— Emma Kennedy (@EmmaKennedy) July 19, 2017
I don't have an issue with what BBC pays its top talent but it must ensure that its lowest paid staff have a living wage. #bbcpay
— Harry Leslie Smith (@Harryslaststand) July 19, 2017
Thousands of BBC staff work long hours, antisocial shifts for a fraction of what stars earn. Let's keep perspective #BBCsalaries
— Sonja McLaughlan (@Sonjamclaughlan) July 19, 2017
After recent speculation I can confirm that I'm NOT being paid over £150,000 for the BBC Rugby Union Weekly pod #BBCpay #Pray/PayForUgs ??❤️
— ugo monye (@ugomonye) July 19, 2017
Happy BBC salary day. I blame my agent and the other TV channels that pay more. Now where did I put my tin helmet?
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 19, 2017
Some made points about the BBC Licence Fee:
My attitude to #BBCPay-they can pay what they like, but we the public should have the choice to pay for it or not. #MakeBBCSubscriptionOnly
— Lee Hurst (@2010LeeHurst) July 19, 2017
Many pointed out how others in the world of media earned a lot more than the BBC stars, including author Philip Pullman:
The fuss about BBC salaries is entirely and malevolently confected by Murdoch and Dacre. A pox on them. The BBC is worth every penny.
— Philip Pullman (@PhilipPullman) July 19, 2017
Others took the opportunity to crack a joke.
Just seen the leaked #BBCPay file. I CANNOT believe those hippos got £163k EACH to swim in a bloody circle! SO ANGRY RIGHT NOW!!! ???
— Ian Hyland (@HylandIan) July 19, 2017
However the Lib Dems said the figures should act as a “wake-up call” and called for the gender pay gap to be eliminated.
.@JoSwinson: BBC gender pay gap should be a wake-up call pic.twitter.com/TgsyVQP3Ja
— Lib Dem Press Office (@LibDemPress) July 19, 2017
"We're making big strides… but we have a lot to do" – BBC director general Tony Hall on #bbcpay gender disparity https://t.co/EtYHyWp3JX pic.twitter.com/yp9rViqV0O
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) July 19, 2017
