BBC staff believe some of the “obscene” salaries given to top talent such as Zoe Ball “give the corporation a bad name” amid widespread anger.
Radio 4 presenter Sangita Myska took issue with Zoe Ball’s £980,000 salary, despite the DJ, 50, taking a pay-cut.
In now-deleted tweets, she blasted: “Can you imagine earning so much that you can volunteer to take a £380,000 pay cut?
“I’m concerned that the differentials are so vast they give the public the wrong impression of what the vast majority of us earn.
“It gives the corporation a bad name. I’ve never been allowed to negotiate. Most staff I know get what they’re given.”
A BBC News spokesman said: “The staff member has been reminded of the social media guidelines and responsibilities.”
Other staff believe the salaries of talent such as Gary Lineker, on £1.36million, and Huw Edwards, on £430,000, are “obscene”.
BBC sources have pointed to the fact that stars can make more on commercial rivals such as ITV.
Chris Evans and Graham Norton both left high-profile Radio 2 shows for Virgin.
Yesterday it emerged that Zoe asked bosses for a 28% pay cut when agreeing a new deal to host the Radio 2 Breakfast Show. She received £1.36m last year.
One source said at the time: “She felt uncomfortable about how much she earned.”
Many other stars have also taken pay cuts including newsreader Huw Edwards (40k) to £430k, Question Time’s Fiona Bruce (45k) to £410k, Radio 2’s Steve Wright (£10k) to £470k and his colleague Ken Bruce (20k) to £370k.
Claudia Winkleman, who last year earned £370,000 for her Radio 2 show, is not on the list at all after it was taken off-air last spring. She will return next year after replacing Norton on Saturday mornings from February.
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@trinitymirror.com or call us direct 0207 29 33033.
