BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball was paid between £950,000 and £954,999 by the BBC last year, making her the corporation’s second-highest-paid employee behind Gary Lineker ’s annual salary of at least £1.35m. From Zoe's salary, it works out that she earns around £4,000 per show.
Despite this being a £30,000 cut on her pay packet for the previous year, the 53-year-old's earnings have sparked backlash on social media, particularly as the Beeb has simultaneously revealed plans to cut 500 jobs. Fuming on Twitter/X , one user said: “How much Zoe Ball gets a year is a disgrace.” Another ranted: “It's funny in the statement the BBC say they take spending licence fee payers money very seriously and try to give value for money .
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yet they're paying Lineker £1.3 million and Zoe Ball the best part of £1 million! Taking the p**s as usual.” A third wrote: “ BBC are blasting the license money by paying the likes of Gary Lineker , Claudia Winkleman and Zoe Ball massive salaries, saying that they’re rare stars.
You only have to look at @TalkTV and @GBNEWS to see how many ‘stars’ are out there who could do those jobs very well.” A fourth commented: “The license fee is fantastic value in comparison to the various streaming options available - most of which I try periodically and find poor value. Having said that - the top salaries are insane, especially for Zoe Ball.
” And a fifth wrote: “Zoe Ball is never there.” At the same time, some defended the radio ho.