Scott Mills was highest paid BBC star before sacking

Scott Mills was highest paid BBC star before sackingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Scott Mills previously hosted the BBC Radio 2 breakfast showBySteven McIntoshEntertainment reporterPublished1 minute agoDJ Scott Mills was the highest paid presenter at the BBC before he was sacked earlier this year, according the corporation's annual report.The 53-year-old was paid around £745,000 for hosting the Radio 2 breakfast show until his exit in March, when it emerged he had been accused of historical sexual offences. Mills co-operated with a police investigation and was not charged.Other top earners at the BBC last year included Greg James, Stephen Nolan, Laura Kuenssberg, Vernon Kay and Alan Shearer, but Gary Lineker dropped significantly after leaving two months into the financial year.The latest annual report also shows the number of TV licences in force dropped by 539,000 to 23.3 million during the last financial year.The annual salaries list is far from a complete picture of what top talent at the BBC earn, as the corporation only publishes the names of stars it pays directly.A large number of household names, such as Claudia Winkleman, Michael McIntyre and Graham Norton, are missing from the list because they are paid via production companies. The top earners 2025-2026Image caption, Laura Kuenssberg (pictured interviewing Chancellor Rachel Reeves) was among the BBC's top earners1. Scott Mills (£745,000-£749,999)2. Greg James (£440,000-£444,999)3. Stephen Nolan (£425,000-£429,999)4. Laura Kuenssberg (£405,000-£409,999)=4 Vernon Kay (£405,000-£409,999)6. Alan Shearer (£390,000-£394,999)7. Justin Webb (£375,000-£379,999)8. Naga Munchetty (£360,000-£364,999)9. Fiona Bruce (£345,000-£349,999)10. Sophie Raworth (£340,000-£344,999)The above list includes on-air talent only, and not BBC executives As Mills was sacked by the BBC just a few days short of the financial year ending, the £745,000 listed in the annual report represents almost his full annual sala...