According to the latest annual report, DJ Scott Mills held the position of the highest-paid presenter at the BBC before his termination earlier this year. The 53-year-old earned approximately £745,000 for his work on the Radio 2 breakfast show up until his departure in March. This exit followed revelations regarding historical accusations of sexual misconduct involving a minor in the late 1990s. While a police probe began in 2016, Mills cooperated fully, and the case was closed in 2019 without charges due to a lack of evidence.
The BBC’s financial disclosure indicates a significant decline in the total number of active TV licences, which fell by 539,000 in the last year. Over the previous five years, that figure has dropped by two million. It is important to note that the salary report is incomplete, as it only details payments to individuals directly employed by the corporation. Prominent figures like Claudia Winkleman, Graham Norton, and Michael McIntyre remain excluded from these public records because they receive compensation through independent production companies.
Mills’s final salary saw a substantial increase from the £355,000 he received the previous year. His departure led to Sara Cox taking over the breakfast show. Similarly, changes occurred elsewhere at the BBC, with Gary Lineker exiting his role on Match of the Day, leading to a new presenting trio consisting of Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan, and Kelly Cates. These replacements earn significantly less than their predecessors. Other notable earners mentioned include Laura Kuenssberg and Justin Webb, while the list continues to omit many household names whose earnings are processed via external entities.