Graham Norton left BBC radio partly because he doesn’t want to be on the highest earners list anymore

Presenter was replaced by Claudia Winkleman on Saturday morning show

Graham Norton has admitted that a “bonus” of leaving BBC Radio is that he will no longer appear on the broadcaster’s annual list of their highest-paid stars.  

In November, it was announced that Norton would be leaving his weekly show on BBC Radio 2 before the end of the year and moving to Virgin Radio. He was replaced by Claudia Winkleman.

The presenter, who has hosted the series for a decade, continues to front his weekly BBC One chat show, as well as presenting Drag Race UK and commentating on the Eurovision Song Contest.

In the latest list of the BBC’s top paid talent, Norton came in third place, after Gary Lineker and Zoe Ball, with an annual salary of £725,000 – £729,999.

Speaking on Times Radio, Norton said: “The only thing that was part of the decision was oh, if I stopped doing this, I’ll get off that list. I won’t be on that list anymore. The kind of high earners list, which I didn’t like being on it, hey, now I’m not.

“So to that extent it made me go… but that was sort of a bonus of leaving, it wasn’t the biggest driving force.”

On his last show in December, Norton fought back tears as he said: "I want to thank all the people who work here in Wogan house, it really is a happy place to be, it’s a lovely family here at Wogan House.

“But mostly I need to say thank you to you, the listeners, because it’s just a gig, it is just a job but it has also been a privilege to be part of your mornings – oh I’m getting emotional now!”