Graham Norton has admitted his decision to quit his Radio 2 show was partly informed by his inclusion on the BBC’s list of top earners.

The presenter announced he was leaving his popular Saturday mid-morning show in November after being poached by Virgin Radio.

Figures released in September showed that he was among the top earners at the Beeb, earning about £725,000 for his Radio 2 show and some TV work, but not his BBC One chat show.

In a new interview with Times Radio, Graham said he “didn’t like” being included on the list of the corporation’s best paid stars.

“The only thing that was part of the decision was oh, if I stopped doing this, I’ll get off that list,” he said.

“I won’t be on that list anymore. The kind of high earners list, which I didn’t like being on it, hey, now I’m not.

“So to that extent it made me go… but that was sort of a bonus of leaving, it wasn’t the biggest driving force.”

However, Graham added that publishing the list did have some benefits.

“If they weren’t publishing that list, I don’t think there’d be nearly as many women on that list,” he said. “I think in the next few years, it will become much more diverse.”

Graham joined Radio 2 in 2010 to host the 10am–1pm slot on Saturdays, taking over from Jonathan Ross.

When he announced where he was heading after quitting Radio 2, the 57-year-old star said he was “excited and a little surprised to be joining Virgin Radio UK in 2021”.

He added: “I was very content where I was but the opportunity to host shows across the weekend seemed too good to miss out on.

“Plus the energy and enthusiasm at Virgin Radio are infectious and I can’t wait to get started!”

Claudia Winkleman will be taking over his Radio 2 slot.