The BBC just dropped nine pages of information on how much it pays its biggest stars.
The British broadcaster was told by the government last year that it must publish the salaries of all presenters (and actors) if they earn more than £150,000 ($195,000) a year.
Despite deep misgivings, the BBC agreed. Wednesday’s disclosure, which forms part of the BBC’s annual report, is the result. Never before has so much information about the pay of British TV stars been revealed in one go.
In total, 96 stars earn more than £150,000. The BBC has not published the exact salaries of these household names. Instead, pay is categorised in £50,000 bands.
It also does not include stars paid through commercial arm BBC Worldwide, such as “Top Gear” host Matt LeBlanc, or those who work for the broadcaster through independent production companies. So, for example, we don’t know how much Benedict Cumberbatch makes for playing Sherlock Holmes.
This also means that the full earnings of some stars are not listed. Graham Norton's pay, for example, is likely to be much higher, but because he probably pockets some of the production fee for "The Graham Norton Show" from his production company So Television, this is not captured in the BBC list.
Business Insider has chosen to highlight the BBC's 20 best-paid stars and they are ranked in ascending order. Check out the BBC's biggest earners:
=10. Derek Thompson: £350,000-£400,000
The highest-paid actor on the list, Thompson has played Charlie Fairhead in BBC1 drama "Casualty" since the show's inception in 1986.
=10. Simon Mayo: £350,000-£400,000
Mayo hosts "Simon Mayo Drivetime" for BBC Radio 2. He is also the co-host of the popular "Kermode and Mayo's Film Review," which doubles as a successful podcast.
=10. Nick Grimshaw: £350,000-£400,000
Grimshaw is the man who replaced Chris Moyles as the host of Radio 1's breakfast show. He also works on big events for the BBC, such as its coverage of the "One Love Manchester" concert staged by Ariana Grande.
=10. Vanessa Feltz: £350,000-£400,000
A seasoned presenter, Feltz hosts the breakfast show on BBC Radio London.
=10. Tess Daly: £350,000-£400,000
Daly is the co-host of BBC1 entertainment giant, "Strictly Come Dancing."
=10. Fiona Bruce: £350,000-£400,000
As well as being a regular BBC News anchor, Bruce also presents "Antiques Roadshow" and "Fake Or Fortune."
=9. Alan Shearer: £400,000-£450,000
The former Newcastle United striker is a pundit on "Match of the Day."
=9. Stephen Nolan: £400,000-£450,000
Nolan hosts shows for BBC Northern Ireland and Radio 5 Live.
=9. Andrew Marr: £400,000-£450,000
=9. Alex Jones: £400,000-£450,000
Jones is the co-host of BBC1's "The One Show." She also fronts other programmes, such as "Shop Well for Less" and events like "Children in Need."
=9. Nicky Campbell: £400,000-£450,000
Campbell is the host of 5 Live's breakfast show on the radio. He also presents religious debate show "The Big Questions" on BBC1.
=8. Claudia Winkleman: £450,000-£500,000
The highest-paid woman on the list, Winkleman is the co-presenter of BBC1's biggest entertainment show: "Strictly Come Dancing."
She also has other regular gigs, including BBC2's "The Great British Sewing Bee" and BBC1 movie review programme "Film 2016."
=8. Matt Baker: £450,000-£500,000
Baker is the host of "The One Show" on BBC1. He also presents "Countryfile" and is involved in the BBC's coverage of the Olympics.
7. Steve Wright: £500,000-£550,000
Wright is a prominent Radio 2 presenter. He hosts a weekday afternoon show, as well as "Steve Wright's Sunday Love Songs."
6. Huw Edwards: £550,000-£600,000
Huw Edwards is the BBC's top news anchor. He hosts the BBC News at Ten, the broadcaster's flagship bulletin, and has shared the election hot seat with David Dimbleby in recent years.
The BBC also calls on Edwards to anchor major events. He presented coverage of the royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011.
5. John Humphrys: £600,000-£650,000
Veteran broadcaster Humphrys is one of the lead hosts of Radio 4's "Today" programme.
4. Jeremy Vine: £700,000-£750,000
Vine is famed for being the man who controls BBC News' swish graphics on election night. He also has a mid-morning Radio 2 show, which has an audience of around 8 million, while other hosting duties include BBC2's tea time quiz "Eggheads."
3. Graham Norton: £850,000-£900,000
Norton is the BBC's biggest entertainment star. He hosts chat show "The Graham Norton Show," as well as a Radio 2 programme on a Saturday.
2. Gary Lineker: £1.75 million-£1.8 million
Gary Lineker is best known for his work on Premier League highlights show "Match of the Day." He also hosts major sporting tournaments, such as the World Cup and Olympics.
He agreed a new five-year deal with the BBC in 2015, under which the broadcaster allowed him to present BT Sport's Champions League coverage.
1. Chris Evans: £2.2 million-£2.25 million
Chris Evans had a calamitous, but well-remunerated stint as the host of "Top Gear" last year. He has left the BBC2 motoring brand, but still hosts BBC Radio 2's flagship breakfast show.
Evans said in 2015 that TV stars get paid too much. "Most of us work part time anyway so just pay us less - that's what I would do. It's not rocket science," he said.
