Melvyn Bragg criticises Gary Lineker’s BBC wage being ’27 instances extra’ than his regardless of In Our Time attracting the same sized viewers as Match of the Day

In Our Time presenter Melvyn Bragg has hit out at Gary Lineker‘s wage as he claimed the Match of the Day star was paid 27 instances greater than him – regardless of attracting a equally sized viewers.

Talking forward of the Radio 4 programme’s one thousandth episode, set to exit on Thursday, the 83-year-old radio veteran has questioned whether or not license price payers are getting worth for cash from the BBC.

Viewing information from viewers measurement physique Barb exhibits that Match of the Day will get round 2million viewers throughout reside broadcast and catch-up on a Saturday and round 2.5million on a Sunday.

In Our Time frequently studies weekly listening figures in extra of 2million individuals, and can also be one of many BBC’s most downloaded weekly podcasts globally.

The present, during which Bragg and company talk about philosophy, science, historical past, faith and tradition, can also be one of the vital standard on-demand programmes amongst customers of the BBC Sounds app, together with among the many under-35s.

Melvyn Bragg has criticised the best way that some BBC stars are paid amid claims that In Our Time introduced in a equally sized viewers to Gary Lineker’s Match of the Day

Gary Lineker is the BBC’s prime paid star, incomes round £1.35million yearly for fronting Match of the Day

Melvyn Bragg stated the disparity in salaries, regardless of comparable viewers numbers, highlighted how the BBC was ‘in a repair’

Regardless of this, Bragg says he’s paid a fraction of the wage paid to ex-England footballer Lineker, who received an annual salary of around £1.35m from the broadcaster final 12 months.

Talking to The Times, Bragg stated: ‘I get about the identical as Gary Lineker…it is price fascinated by that, and the hassle and vitality that is put into (our present).

‘It could be nice if he was paid what I used to be paid, that may be high-quality.

‘He is good, he is superb…and I am not utilizing this to get at him. I simply suppose that is an instance of the best way the BBC is in a repair.’

Bragg additionally questioned whether or not some newsreaders had been paid an excessive amount of: Information at Six and Information at Ten anchor Sophie Raworth is paid between £365,000 and £369,999.

Huw Edwards, at present suspended amid an investigation into his conduct, was paid as much as £439,000 for the same function that additionally noticed him fronting main information occasions together with the loss of life of Queen Elizabeth II.

Different prime earners on the BBC embrace Radio 2 breakfast host Zoe Ball, who’s paid round £980,000, and Lineker’s Match of the Day co-host Alan Shearer, who earns not less than £445,000. 

Bragg, who will flip 84 subsequent month, revealed in his interview with the newspaper that he had suffered some ‘critical moments – actually, actually essential moments’ of poor well being in latest instances.

He has beforehand revealed well being scares together with cancers, a collapsed lung, pneumonia and a hip alternative.

The presenter has fronted In Our Time because it first started airing in 1998. The one thousandth episode, airing on September 21 simply after 9am, will sort out Ingmar Bergman’s 1957 movie The Seventh Seal.

Bragg has beforehand turned his ire on the BBC over a lot of points, as soon as claiming the broadcaster usually portrayed working class individuals as ‘depressing’ and ‘in despair’.

He has additionally said his opposition to so-called cancel tradition, telling a ebook competition final 12 months: ‘You’re not allowed to speak about this or that as a result of it’s not politically right and I’m completely against that. I feel you’re allowed to speak about something.’

Lineker agreed to take a £400,000 pay cut in 2019 amid heightened fury on the BBC’s salaries, at a time when free TV licences for the over-75s had been reduce and disparities in pay between women and men had been highlighted throughout the company.

In Our Time is just not the one programme to show unexpectedly standard with youthful audiences. 

It’s the fifth most-requested on-demand radio programme on BBC Sounds, behind two Radio 1 music exhibits, Elis James and John Robins’ weekly slot on 5Live – and The Archers, which is considered successful as farming and sustainability are seen as ‘cool’ topics with youthful listeners.