‘Just doesn’t sit right’: Emily Carver fumes at ‘champagne socialist’ Gary Lineker as eye-watering salary exposed

GB News stars Tom Harwood and Emily Carver have criticised Gary Lineker’s “grandstanding” after the BBC star’s salary was revealed.

The Match of the Day presenter took home at least £1,350,000 in 2023-24, making him the broadcaster’s highest-paid star.

Lineker is often outspoken on political matters, leading many to question the BBC’s impartiality.

The company says it is “committed to achieving due impartiality in all its output” in their Editorial Guidelines.

Emily and Tom questioned how this principle can square with Lineker often wading into politics.

“That is what annoys me”, said Emily. “It’s not that he is paid this much money, which of course is irritating because we all fund it.

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“It’s because he is all grandstanding about morals and all that.”

Tom added: “In some ways, I can appreciate people who leave the BBC, work somewhere independent and then they can have opinions.

“That is the beauty of the media landscape. While you’re at the BBC, it just doesn’t sit right.”

Former BBC Head of Religion Aaqil Ahmed defended Lineker during the discussion, saying that despite perceived misgivings about the Match of the Day star, he is worthy of the hefty salary he receives.

“The question we have to ask ourselves is, in the open market, is Gary Lineker worth a lot more than that?”, he asked.

“All these things are subjective. I think he is, to be honest. I think he is a big draw. I think if you go down that list, there are people on there where you ask if they are on the open market, would they get snapped up as quickly as you think?

“Gary is not one of those. You look at the dearth of sports broadcasters out there, Gary would not be a bad shout for them.”

Carver continued by saying she doesn’t mind the fact Lineker is paid so much, but him being a “champagne socialist” is what grates her.

Lineker’s salary dwarfs that of the highest paid woman on the BBC’s latest annual report list, with Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball earning a salary between £950,000 and £954,999 in 2023/24.

It reflects the BBC’s gender pay gap, which has widened for the third year in succession.

The rise in the gap “continues to be predominately due to specific investments in pay over the past two years, including for critical talent in key roles in our technology and product areas, and for longer serving employees paid towards the bottom of their pay ranges”, the BBC said.