FORMER BBC Breakfast star Louise Minchin has broken her silence on her ‘horrific’ battle to be paid the same as her male co-stars.
While speaking to Emily Dean on her Walking the Dog podcast, Louise, 55, revealed that she had been given numerous excuses about why her pay wasn’t the same as her male counterparts.
The BBC presenter explained that she knew she was being underpaid, but it wasn’t until the broadcaster published its pay report in 2017 that she realised it was a systemic problem.
The report detailed the salaries of every BBC employee who earned over £150,000.
Louise said she remembered seeing it and noting “it was pretty much all men apart from a couple of women.”
“And at that point I just thought ‘oh wow, this is actually way more serious than I thought it was,’” she added.
This is what pushed her to keep fighting for equal pay, not just for herself, but for all the women at the BBC.
“I do care for me but I care in a much wider more powerful way actually because when you’re fighting or taking on something on behalf of other people it’s even more empowering to think ‘right, okay, I don’t mind how long this takes, how difficult it is, I’m going to do this.’ And I did,” Louise explained
It was reported that along with Louise, fellow Breakfast star Sally Nugent was also earning less than some of their male counterparts.
Speaking about her gruelling battle taking the BBC to a tribunal, Louise admitted: “I look back and think I have been absolutely [crazy].”
In response, podcast host Emily asked if the process was “a bit awks.” (sic)
“A little bit awkward taking your employer on a fast track toward a tribunal? Horrific,” Louise scoffed.
But she said she felt it was necessary because the system was broken.
She explained: “It was the system and what had been allowed to happen over many, many years, to many, many women.”
Louise admitted that it was an “exhausting” fight which took years, but she said ultimately she is “delighted” that she did it as she can see what an impact it’s had, not just at the BBC but for women in other industries, too.
She said: “The best thing for me is that the people who sit on that sofa now, hopefully, as long as they can hold the line, continue and that will continue forever.
The flagship BBC show has had dozens of presenters during its impressive 40 years on air but the current stars are:
Jon Kay – Since 2022
Sally Nugent – Since 2021
Charlie Stayt – Since 2006
Naga Munchetty – Since 2014
Carol Kirkwood – Since 1997
“I hope that has trickled down to all my producers and researchers and all those other fabulous women who are holding down those jobs as well. That’s what you want.”
She now feels a real sense of pride that she was able to secure equal pay for herself and other women.
“At the end of the day it’s not about money, it’s about being valued and being valued the same way as the person sitting next to you when you’re doing the same job and you’re doing the same interviews,” she said.
Louise did not mention any of her male co-stars by name, but outlets have reported that former BBC Breakfast Dan Walker was among those to be paid significantly higher than some of the female presenters in the studio.
According to reports, Dan, 47, was making close to £250,000 while Louise’s salary was not published, as it was lower than £150,000.
However, the Channel 5 presenter has denied the claims, saying that he and Louise received “identical” salaries while presenting the breakfast programme.
In a statement on Instagram, Dan said: “I could spend my life correcting guff in the papers but this one is important.
“It is entirely incorrect.
“I am great friends with Louise – can’t wait to go to her book launch next month – and was always supportive of her in her ‘battle with the corporation.’ She and I were paid exactly the same for BBC Breakfast from the first day I sat on the sofa.”
He then went on to clarify: “I did also get paid for presenting Football Focus (completely different job for a different department) at the same time but our salaries for Breakfast were identical.”
