THE BBC has published the earnings of some of its top talent - with Gary Lineker at the head of a list still dominated by men.

The Match Of The Day host is the biggest earner, taking home between £1.75 million and £1,759,999.

He replaces former Padgate High pupil Chris Evans at the top, who is shown to be earning between £1.6 million and £1,669,999 for his Radio 2 Breakfast show.

Last year's accounts showed the Radio 2 Breakfast DJ took home up to £2,249,999 in the 12 months to April 2017 and his salary has been reduced since stepping down from Top Gear.

The top 10 published this year is made up of men, with Lineker and Evans followed by Radio 2 DJ Graham Norton, on up to £609,999 - not including payments for his TV chat show.

The other big earners are also men - broadcasters Steve Wright, Huw Edwards, Jeremy Vine, Alan Shearer, Nicky Campbell, Nick Grimshaw and Stephen Nolan.

The BBC argues that the list does not reflect the true balance of payments to men and women as salaries through BBC Studios, which is not funded by the licence fee and became a commercial entity, are not revealed.

If included, they would feature payments to Claudia Winkleman for Strictly Come Dancing, Alex Jones for The One Show and Fiona Bruce for Antiques Roadshow.

It also says that changes to pay packets in recent months are also not reflected as the list is compiled from salaries up to April this year.

There are women on the list who did not appear last year.

Mary Berry's salary is published this year, showing the former Great British Bake Off judge earns between £190,000 to £199,999 'for a range of programmes and series'.

Women who are on the list of stars earning more than £150,000 this year and appear to have received pay rises include Newsnight's Emily Maitlis.

Maitlis, who was absent last year despite co-host Evan Davis appearing, took home between £220,000 and £229,999.

Woman's Hour host Jane Garvey, who has been outspoken in her criticism of the gender pay pay, is another new name and was paid between £150,000 and £159,000 for work which also includes programmes on 5 Live and episodes of Fortunately.

Other female stars to appear this year include Newsbeat's Tina Daheley, who was paid between £150,000 and £159,000, which also includes cover for BBC Breakfast and Victoria Derbyshire.

This year's report also features 5 Live Breakfast's Rachel Burden, Europe editor Katya Adler and Scotland Editor and Sunday Politics journalist Sarah Smith.

Over the last 12 months, the BBC has announced pay cuts for some of its male stars, including broadcasters John Humphrys, who had been paid more than £600,000, Vine, who was on more than £700,000, and Edwards, who was on more than £550,000.

It was disclosed that Today host Humphrys's salary would drop to below £300,000, Radio 5 Live star Campbell's to below £350,000 and newsreader Edwards's to below £500,000 - less than what has been published because the report only reflects the past financial year.

Last year, BBC stars were able to see what their colleagues were paid when the corporation published salaries for 96 people for the first time.

It catapulted the broadcaster into turmoil, with respected China editor Carrie Gracie resigning over unequal pay.

On Wednesday, salaries were revealed in bands of £10,000 rather than last year's £50,000, after discussions with the Government over transparency.

A BBC source said: "The BBC has come a long way in a short period of time. The job is not done yet, but we are making good progress."

The top 12 highest-paid stars listed in the annual report (April 2018 - March 2017) are:

Gary Lineker - £1,750,000 - £1,759,999

Match of the Day: Premier League and FA Cup

Sports Personality of the Year

Chris Evans - £1,660,000 - £1,669,999

Principal Programme: BBC Radio 2

Programme commitments: Approximately 200 editions of the Chris Evans Breakfast Show

Graham Norton - £600,000 - £609,999

Principal activity: Radio and Television

Programme commitments: Weekly show on Radio 2

BBC TV fee for a range of programmes and series

Steve Wright - £550,000 £559,999

Principal Station: BBC Radio 2

220 editions of Steve Wright in the Afternoon

50 editions of Sunday Love Songs

Huw Edwards - £520,000 - £529,999

Principal Programme: BBC News At Six And BBC News At Ten

180 presentation days for BBC1 & News Channel

Elections and News Specials

Jeremy Vine £440,000 - £449,999

Principal Activity: Radio And Television

Daily show on Radio 2

60 episodes of Eggheads

Alan Shearer £410,000 - £419,999

Principal Sport: Men's Football

Match of the day: Premier League and FA Cup

Nicky Campbell £410,000 - £419,999

Principal Station: BBC Radio 5 Live

210 editions of 5 live Breakfast

210 editions of Your Call

Nick Grimshaw £400,000 - £409,999

Principal Station: BBC Radio 1

230 editions of Radio 1 Breakfast Show

Radio 1 Big Weekend

Teen Awards

Stephen Nolan £400,000 - £409,999

Principal Station: Multiple Stations

210 shows on Radio Ulster

20 editions of Nolan Live

30 Question Time Extra Time

120 Stephen Nolan on 5 live

John Humphrys £400,000 -£409,999

Principal Programme: Today

140 programmes

Andrew Marr £400,000 - £409,999

Principal Programme: The Andrew Marr Show

40 programmes

BBC1 documentaries

20 start editions of Start The Week