Former BBC Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills was the BBC’s highest earner before his sacking earlier this year, according to the corporation’s annual report
Mills was fired by the BBC in March following allegations over his personal conduct, with the Metropolitan Police later confirming that the presenter was questioned in 2018 over allegations of serious sexual offences against a boy who was aged under 16. The case was closed in 2019 due to lack of evidence.
The presenter earned between £745,000 and £749,999 for the year ending in March 2026, according to the figures.
He earned the salary for presenting the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, which he took over from Zoe Ball in January 2025.
Mills earned between £355,000 and £359,999 in last year’s report, when he was the joint 11th highest earner.
In a statement shared with Radio Times in April, Mills said: “The recent announcement that I am no longer contracted to the BBC has led to the publication of rumour and speculation. In response to this the Metropolitan Police has made a statement, which I confirm relates to me.
“An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully cooperated and responded to in 2018. As the police have stated, a file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which determined that the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges.
“Since the investigation related to an allegation that dates back nearly 30 years and the police investigation was closed seven years ago, I hope that the public and the media will understand and respect my wish not to make any further public comment on this matter.
“I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have reached out to me with kindness, my former colleagues, and my beloved listeners, who I greatly miss.”
BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James rose two places from last year and is this year’s second highest earner.
Gary Lineker, who had been the BBC’s top paid star for the last eight years, placed 15th in the most recent list. The star left the BBC in May last year.
Ball, who was last year’s second highest earner, no longer features on the list either, after departing from the BBC in December 2025.
She is set to present the afternoon show on Greatest Hits Radio from September, where she’ll take over from Kate Thornton and join former BBC Radio 2 and now Greatest Hits Radio presenters Ken Bruce and Simon Mayo.
BBC journalist Laura Kuenssberg was the highest-paid female staff member in the latest report.
There were four women on the list in total, with Naga Munchetty, Fiona Bruce and Sophie Rawoth also making it into the top 10.
This marks an improvement from last year’s list, which only featured three women.
In third place was Northern Irish radio presenter Stephen Nolan, while Vernon Kay was fourth on the list alongside Kuenssberg.
Every year, the BBC is required to publish the names and salaries of stars and executives who earn above £178,000.
However, the list does not include stars who are employed by and paid through independent production companies or the BBC’s commercial arm, BBC Studios.
The top 20 highest paid BBC presenters list is below:
- Scott Mills £745,000 – £749,999
- Greg James £440,000 – £444,999
- Stephen Nolan £425,000 – £429,999
- Laura Kuenssberg £405,000 – £409,999
- Vernon Kay £405,000 – £409,999
- Alan Shearer £390,000 – £394,999
- Justin Webb £375,000 – £379,999
- Naga Munchetty £360,000 – £364,999
- Fiona Bruce £345,000 – £349,999
- Sophie Raworth £340,000 – £344,999
- Nicholas Grimshaw £335,000 – £339,999
- Mark Chapman £335,000 – £339,999
- Nick Robinson £330,000 – £334,999
- Trevor Nelson £330,000 – £334,999
- Reeta Chakrabarti £325,000 – £329,999
- Gary Lineker £325,000 – £329,999
- Amol Rajan £320,000 – £324,999
- Clive Myrie £320,000 – £324,999
- Sara Cox £320,000 – £324,999
- Anna Foster £315,000 – £319,999
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