Even the BBC Trust thinks its big name TV and radio news presenters are paid too much
The salaries of the BBC's big-name TV and radio news presenters have come under fire from the corporation's governing body.
However, its review - due out on Monday - is expected to defend the salaries of major entertainment stars such as Jonathan Ross, who has an £18million deal.
The investigation by the BBC Trust is believed to single out areas such as news and radio for paying over the odds for stars, even though there is less competition for their talents from rivals.
Fioan Bruce: The queen of TV news presents the ten o'clock bulletin
Jeremy Paxman, frontman for BBC2's Newsnight, is on £1million a year at the BBC - although this figure includes what he gets for University Challenge.
News presenter Fiona Bruce is believed to be on about £500,000 a year, while Huw Edwards and John Humphrys are also high earners.
On the corporation's radio networks, which are far more powerful than commercial rivals, Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles reportedly gets £630,000 a year.
Terry Wogan is believed to be on a salary of about £800,000 for his radio show alone.
Previous leaks on salaries showed Radio 1 presenter Jo Whiley earned £250,000 a year, while Sara Cox took home £200,000.
According to insiders, the review by the BBC Trust will question whether news presenters are getting more than their market rate.
The report does not name any names and it concedes that some of the news presenters could earn more money at rival broadcasters.
But the Trust is also expected to point out that in the area of radio, there is not much competition to justify bumper pay packets.
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The report was conducted following widespread concerns about the amount of money the corporation pays its top performers.
But sources close to the process suggest the review will back up director-general Mark Thompson's claims that its most highly paid entertainment stars are worth the money.
As well as Ross, whose £18million three-year deal made him the highest paid presenter in British TV history, Graham Norton has a £5million two-year deal.
Little Britain stars Matt Lucas and David Walliams have a £3million deal.
The prospect of the trust providing a green light to carry on giving stars such as Ross multi-million deals will anger many.
His massive salary has been described as 'obscene' and was condemned by a number of politicians.
Jonathan Ross: Three-year deal
Commercial rivals have accused the BBC of distorting the market by using licence fee payer's money to drive up the costs of talent and outbid its rivals.
The report will emerge a few days after the BBC Trust was accused of a 'whitewash' by ignoring widespread concerns that the corporation's internet activities are distorting the market.
The review has been carried out by consultants Oliver & Ohlbaum, who have been working on it since November. The BBC Trust last night refused to comment on it.
