BBC's top earner list has been revealed with pay increase for Huw Edwards despite being mostly off-air

The BBC has revealed its highest earners after releasing their 2023-24 annual report.

Match of the Day and former England international Gary Lineker takes top spot for the seventh year running, boasting an annual salary of £1.35 million in a result that not many are surprised by.

Zoe Ball is the second highest earner, while Huw Edwards takes the third spot despite his suspension, as BBC policy states that employees remain on the payroll while suspended.

His salary actually got an increase of £40,000, despite being off-air for most of it, seeing an increase from £435,000 to £475,000.

Huw Edwards is third in the list. (Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Edwards left the BBC after being named as the presenter in the midst of a controversy, having been off-air since July 2023.

It was first reported by The Sun newspaper that an unnamed presenter was alleged to have paid a young person for sexually explicit photos.

The reporter's departure from his job happened just nine months after his wife revealed that he had been admitted to hospital with 'serious mental health issues'.

Since then, police have not taken action against him as there was no evidence that a criminal offence had been committed.

The BBC's highest-paid newsreader was not paid off as part of his departure, say the broadcaster, as BBC's director general Tim Davie stated: "No-one wants to waste a pound but we need to act proportionately and fairly and I think that's what we did."

It should be noted that stars paid through BBC Studios or independent production companies do not need their salaries made public.

Above Edwards in second place was Radio 2's Zoe Ball, who took home a cool £950,000, £30,000 less than last year.

In fourth place was BBC Radio 1 present Greg James, on £415,000.

Tied in fifth were game show host Steven Nolan and newsreader Fiona Bruce on £405,000.

6 Music host Lauren Laverne is next with earnings of £395,000, while all-time Premier League top scorer Alan Shearer took home £380,000 - a £65,000 decrease from last year.

BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty and Today host Nick Robinson rounded off the list, with both earning £345,000.

The former footballer is the BBC's highest earner yet again. (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

BBC's highest earners 2023-24

1) Gary Lineker - £1.35m

2) Zoe Ball - £950k

3) Huw Edwards - £475k

4) Greg James - £415k

5) Steven Nolan - £405k

6) Fiona Bruce - £405k

7) Lauren Laverne - £395k

8) Naga Munchetty - £345k

9) Nick Robinson - £345k