I HAVE always been a great supporter and advocate for the BBC – traditionally best news coverage (but now showing distinct bias to the left), sports coverage (now only Wimbledon of any significance), and drama (fast overtaken by ITV and Netflix while can only provide dross such as EastEnders).

However, the publishing of the salaries lists shows only too well where the licence payers’ money is being wasted – while there can be few complaints about fees paid to the likes of Andrew Marr, Jeremy Bowen, Ken Bruce, Sue Barker, John Humphrys and James Naughtie, even possibly for the genuine talent of Evans and Norton, how can the BBC possibly justify the huge sums paid to Jeremy Vine (£750k), Vanessa Feltz (£400k), Steve Wright (£500k), Clare Balding (£200k), or Laura Kuenssberg (£250k) all of whom would struggle to get work on a hospital radio station.

Probably the biggest mistake is for the regulars on Strictly Come Dancing where the ‘experts’ - Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli (£250k each) and Darcey Bussell and Craig Revel-Horwood (£200k each) - are incredibly overshadowed by Claudia Winkleman (£500k) and Tess Daly (£400k).

Add to the above the incredible waste incurred in sending the likes of Huw Edwards to cover events such as US President’s elections, Scottish referendum, Mandela’s funeral, etc, plus Carol Kirkwood travelling the country (or to Wimbledon during tennis fortnight) to present the weather, and the profligacy of the BBC is easily identified.

It is time for the BBC to reduce its costs dramatically, plough money saved into better programming and quality presenters, or reap the consequences of losing the licence fee.

GEOFFREY SMITH

Drew Close, Poole

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