Gary Lineker's mind-blowing salary at the BBC revealed in new report as Alan Shearer forced to accept pay cut

A report has confirmed Gary Lineker's huge BBC salary and revealed the pay cut Alan Shearer had to take.

The BBC is renowned the world over for the quality of its broadcasting, including news, sport and entertainment.

Their coverage is so respected partly due to the quality of journalists they employ and the big names fronting their sports and entertainment shows.

BBC Sport boasts some huge sporting names among their talent roster, particularly when it comes to football coverage.

Gary Lineker has become the face of the BBC's football coverage over the last 20 years, in which time he has presented Match of the Day and Sports Personality of the Year as well as live coverage of World Cups, European Championships and the FA Cup.

Over the years he has been joined in the studio by former players including Alan Hansen, Alan Shearer, Alex Scott and Micah Richards, to name but a few.

Unsurprisingly, a BBC report has confirmed that Lineker remains the broadcaster's highest-paid star. The 63-year-old takes home at least £1.35 million a year, potentially rising to £1,354,999.

The former England striker's pay has remained the same since 2021, although that year he took a slight pay-cut from his previous £1.36m salary.

Unlike Lineker, Alan Shearer took a pay-cut during the 2023-24 season. The 53-year-old, who often appears on Match of the Day and live football coverage alongside Lineker, saw his yearly salary fall from a minimum of £445,000 to £380,000.

Last season Shearer earned between £380,000-£384,999, which was significantly less than his earnings in 2022-23.

Shearer's salary last season was slightly less than the £390,000 he earned in 2020-21.

The BBC's second highest earner is Radio 2 host Zoe Ball, who took home between £950,000 and £954,999 in the 2023-24 financial year.