WARRINGTON'S mayor has called for former Padgate DJ Chris Evans to donate part of his £2.2 million salary to 'some of the more needy people of the town that made him'.

It has been revealed that Mr Evans is the highest paid star at the BBC after his pay packet was announced in the corporation's annual report under requirements set out under the BBC's new Royal Charter.

The breakfast show host made between £2.2m and £2.25m in 2016 to 2017.

His pay is understood to include a portion of his earnings from his time on Top Gear.

Mr Evans' pay set tongues wagging across the town and it caught the eye of Mayor Cllr Les Morgan, who issued a post on Facebook yesterday, Wednesday.

He said: "Instead of lauding and praising Chris Evans as a mega star and drawing mega bucks, why not coax (or shame him) into distributing it among some of the more needy people of the town that made him?"

Warrington Guardian:

However, he came in for some strong criticism from residents, with many moving to the defence of the Radio 2 host.

Comments included: "What a ridiculous thing to say… let's shame him into giving some of his hard earned money away…. doesn't matter if he has £1 or £1 billion.. it's his money."

One resident said: "How dare you say such a thing, maybe if the mayor gave up some of his salary, or his Audi, to the needy of the town he would have room to speak. This is just sheer jealousy on the part of the mayor. He should be ashamed of himself."

Another said: "Sorry. Not what I expect of a Mayor. I’ll be unliking your page. You should be happy for individual success, acting as an encouragement for others. Out of order."

With another saying: "Work hard and…..redistribute your wealth? Really??"

But not all were critical of Cllr Morgan (LAB – Latchford West).

One resident said: "Everyone has the potential to excel and earn great wealth I understand that but we have to allow people’s gifts to spread their blessings to others as none of us can take it with us in a coffin. It is not what you do in this life it is how your life benefits mankind."

It appears the Facebook post has been removed.

Claudia Winkleman is the BBC's highest-paid female celebrity, earning between £450,000 and £500,000.

Cllr Morgan has issued a statement on his Facebook page today following the criticism.

He said: “To Malcolm Kindon and others that I appear to have upset by my comments about Chris Evans.

“Perhaps I could with a bit more thought, have worded it better.

“What people do with their own earnings is entirely up to them.

“I just think that it would be nice to see these people putting some of it into some of our well deserving local charities.

“As Mayor of Warrington I do lots of work supporting and raising funds for charities in Warrington so please judge me at the end of my term of office.

“Once again I sincerely apologise to the good people of our town and I thank you all for putting me right.


“LES MORGAN the Mayor that DOES CARE.”