Alan Shearer’s BBC wages revealed as Newcastle United legend sees salary slashed

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has seen his BBC salary reduced but remains one of the broadcaster’s highest-paid personalities, according to the corporation’s latest annual report.

Shearer, a regular pundit on Match of the Day and a co-commentator on the BBC’s live football coverage, saw his earnings fall from between £440,000 and £444,999 last year to between £390,000 and £394,999.

The BBC is required to publish the salaries of on-air and off-air talent who receive more than £178,000 from licence fee revenue each year.

Despite the reduction, the former Newcastle striker remains among the BBC’s highest-paid presenters for the 2025–26 financial year.

Former England teammate Gary Lineker earned between £325,000 and £329,999 for the year ending in March 2026, having left the BBC in May. The 65-year-old had previously been the corporation’s highest-paid presenter, earning between £1,350,000 and £1,354,999 in the previous annual report.

Lineker was not the only high-profile departure from the BBC, with Zoe Ball, who ranked second on last year’s highest-paid list, also leaving the broadcaster.

Scott Mills was the BBC’s highest-paid presenter in the latest report before his dismissal in March. The Radio 2 presenter earned between £745,000 and £749,999 for the year ending in March 2026.

Mills was dismissed after the Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into allegations of serious sexual offences involving a boy under the age of 16 between 1997 and 2000. He has cooperated with the investigation and has not been charged.

BBC Radio 1 presenter Greg James was the second-highest paid member of staff, earning between £440,000 and £444,999, while Northern Irish broadcaster Stephen Nolan ranked third with a salary of between £425,000 and £429,999.

Laura Kuenssberg was joint fourth with Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay, with both earning between £405,000 and £409,999 in the latest report.

Journalist Justin Webb ranked seventh with earnings of between £375,000 and £379,999, followed by Naga Munchetty on £360,000 to £364,999. Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce was ninth, earning between £345,000 and £349,999, while journalist Sophie Raworth completed the top ten with a salary of between £340,000 and £344,999.