Britain's public broadcaster BBC came under fire on Wednesday (July 19) for its gender pay imbalance after it was forced to reveal how much it pays its top-earning talent.
BBC was forced to release a list of its employees paid more than £150,000 (S$267,200) between 2016/2017, for the first time in 94 years. The list shows that more than 200 names feature on the list - which includes executives, actors, presenters, writers and technicians - but only one third are women.According to AFP, former Top Gear host Chris Evans was the highest-paid person, earning over £2.2 million, while presenter Claudia Winkleman was named as the top female earner, pocketing more than £450,000. Winkleman hosts "Strictly Come Dancing", Britain's version of "Dancing With The Stars".BBC's Director-General Lord Hall defended the organisation's high salaries, telling BBC radio earlier in the day that it operates in a "very competitive market". He argued that the BBC had reduced talent salaries by 25 percent in the past four years and said publishing the list was a "bad idea" because it could tempt other companies to poach talent.Former footballer turned presenter Gary Lineker was the BBC's second-highest earner last year, pocketing £1.7 million. Ex-tennis professional John McEnroe earned (more than £150,000) and Doctor Who actor Peter Capaldi (over £200,000).Presenter Graham Norton also appeared on the list for his radio hosting duty for which he pocketed £850,000, but his overall income is believed to be much higher. The sum did not include his salary for his famous chat show because it is produced by an independent company.
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