Yahoo News Alex Jones reveals 'shock' at learning One Show co-host Matt Baker earns more than her
Alex Jones has broken her silence on the controversial BBC gender pay gap, revealing her “shock” at learning that her ‘The One Show’ co-host, Matt Baker, earns up to £100,000 a year more than her.
There were shockwaves earlier this year when the BBC publicised the salaries of their highest-earning employees as part of a new government initiative, revealing a huge pay gap between their male and female employees.
![Alex assumed that she and Matt earned the same amount. Copyright: [BBC]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/X6W.YzYnfORAQy9P0zwi2g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTUzOA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/db1a251f0850349cf12128b9d5bc7a72)
The nation was left stunned by the discrepancies in pay, with the BBC’s top earner – DJ Chris Evans – earning up to £1.5million more than the company’s top earning-woman, Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman.
The top 10 highest earners consisted of just three women – Claudia, Fiona Bruce, and Alex Jones, however, whilst Alex’s co-host Matt takes home £450,000 – £499,000 a year, Alex is on £400,000 – £449,000 – despite the fact they present the popular evening show equally.
Speaking out, Alex told The Mirror: “Matt and I have never discussed wages, but I assumed we got paid the same.
![Alex was shocked by the discrepancies. Copyright: [BBC]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fpuBhIRexbqz6osQQvn2yQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTQ4MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/18269e2d5e14a9dbc2664aa88e367259)
“I was quite shocked. I guess everybody else was.”
After the salaries were published, Alex was among the number of high-profile women who called for BBC director Tony Hall to address the gender pay gap in an open letter, which read: “The pay details released in the annual report showed what many of us have suspected for many years… that women at the BBC are being paid less than men for the same work.
“Compared to many women and men, we are very well compensated and fortunate. However, this is an age of equality and the BBC is an organisation that prides itself on its values.
![Chris Evans earns over £2million a year. Copyright: [Rex]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/9fkSuW6VJVrHOYU3LgQShQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/509a78d2b492fcd4996e22fa244e87d9)
“You have said that you will ‘sort’ the gender pay gap by 2020, but the BBC has known about the pay disparity for years. We all want to go on the record to call upon you to act now.”
The BBC have vowed to fix the gender pay gap by 2020.
Follow Yahoo Celeb UK on Twitter and Instagram for all of the latest celebrity news!
Read more:
[ The 7 most shocking revelations from the BBC pay reveal ]
[ Chris Evans responds to BBC pay backlash ]
[ Casualty’s Tom Chambers ‘mortified’ that his gender pay gap comments were ‘taken out of context’ ]
