The BBC has published its annual report of its highest-earning stars, with Gary Lineker topping the list for the third year in a row.

Since 2017, the corporation has been legally obliged to disclose all of the employees who are earning more than £150,000 a year.

On Tuesday, the 2020 report was published, which listed the Beeb’s biggest earners.

The report confirmed that Gary had earned at least £1.75 million in the period until the end of March 2020, the same figure as in the previous year.

It was also reported on Tuesday that Gary would be taking a 23% pay cut in future, after a signing a new five-year deal with the BBC.

In second place on the list was Radio 2 breakfast presenter Zoë Ball, who earned at least £1.36 million, followed by Graham Norton on around £725,000 

This year’s top 10 includes more female talent than previous years, with Lauren Laverne and Fiona Bruce named for the first time, alongside Zoë and fellow radio DJ Vanessa Feltz, who previously featured in 2019.

However, while there is more representation for women among the highest earners, the list is still predominantly white, with no BAME talent among the top 10.

The top 10 list is as follows:

1. Gary Lineker (£1.75 million – £1,754,999)

2. Zoë Ball (£1.36 million – £1,364,999)

3. Graham Norton (£725,000 – £729,999)

4. Steve Wright (£475,000 – £479,999)

5. Huw Edwards (£465,000 – £469,999)

6. Fiona Bruce (£450,000 – £454,499)

7. Vanessa Feltz (£405,000 – £409,999)

8. Lauren Laverne (£395,000 – £399,999)

9. Stephen Nolan (£390,000 – £394,999)

10. Alan Shearer (£390,000 – £394,999)

It should be noted that the list excludes money earned through BBC Studios, the broadcaster’s commercial arm, which is behind shows like Strictly Come Dancing and Antiques Roadshow, as well as scripted series Doctor Who and EastEnders.