In a jaw-dropping revelation that has sent shockwaves through the media world, BBC newsreader Clive Myrie, a trusted face on screens across the United Kingdom, has been caught in a storm of controversy. The veteran broadcaster, known for his polished delivery on BBC News and his charismatic hosting of the iconic quiz show Mastermind, has been exposed for earning a staggering £145,000 per month from external work—much of it with organizations that could be seen as rivals to the BBC. This bombshell has sparked fierce debate about transparency, loyalty, and the ethics of moonlighting in the high-stakes world of journalism.

Clive Myrie, a household name synonymous with the BBC’s commitment to impartiality and professionalism, has built a formidable reputation over his nearly four-decade career. From his early days as a local radio trainee in 1987 to anchoring major news bulletins and co-hosting the BBC’s election night coverage, Myrie has become one of the corporation’s most visible and respected figures. His reported BBC salary, which ranges between £310,000 and £314,999 annually, is supplemented by an undisclosed sum for his work on Mastermind. For many, this alone would seem a comfortable living. But recent revelations paint a picture of a man whose ambitions—and income—extend far beyond the BBC’s studios.

The controversy erupted when it was discovered that Myrie had failed to declare a significant portion of his external earnings, a requirement imposed by the BBC since 2021 to ensure transparency among its on-air talent. These rules mandate that presenters log all paid external engagements on a public register, published quarterly, to maintain the corporation’s commitment to impartiality. Myrie’s oversight, which he attributed to “administrative issues,” involved a staggering sum of at least £145,000 per month from a slew of high-profile speaking and hosting gigs. These engagements, spanning from 2021 to mid-2024, included work with organizations as diverse as financial institutions, trade associations, and even entities that could be perceived as competitors to the BBC’s interests.

What makes this revelation particularly shocking is the sheer scale and variety of Myrie’s external commitments. The broadcaster, aged 60, has been moonlighting as a sought-after speaker and host, commanding fees that range from £5,000 to over £10,000 per event. His clients include heavyweights like American Express, the Football Association, and the National Residential Landlords Association, as well as financial services giants and industry conferences. On one remarkable day in September 2024, Myrie reportedly earned up to £20,000 by juggling multiple speaking engagements, including hosting an awards ceremony and delivering a keynote speech. This frenetic pace of external work has raised eyebrows, with critics questioning how Myrie balances these commitments with his demanding BBC schedule.

The public and media reaction has been a mix of astonishment and outrage. For many license fee payers, who fund the BBC through their annual contributions, the idea of a high-profile presenter earning such vast sums on the side—potentially with rival organizations—feels like a betrayal. Social media platforms have been ablaze with debates, with some fans defending Myrie’s right to pursue private work, arguing that his talent and marketability justify his earnings. Others, however, have branded the situation “unacceptable,” calling for stricter oversight of BBC talent and questioning whether Myrie’s external gigs compromise his impartiality as a journalist.

Myrie’s response to the scandal has been one of contrition. In a public apology posted on social media, he acknowledged the oversight, citing “several administrative issues” that led to his failure to declare the earnings. He vowed to halt all paid external engagements for the “foreseeable future,” except for a handful of pre-existing commitments, to prevent further missteps. The BBC, for its part, has taken a firm stance, stating that it has reminded Myrie of his responsibilities and taken “robust management action” to address the breach. The corporation has also updated its external events register to include 28 retrospective entries from Myrie, dating back to 2021, shedding light on the full extent of his side ventures.

The nature of Myrie’s external work is as intriguing as its scale. His engagements have ranged from chairing debates to delivering keynote speeches at prestigious events. Some of the most lucrative gigs included hosting a conference for a major financial services company, speaking at an energy and sustainability event, and appearing as a panellist for an insurance association. These roles, while not directly competing with the BBC’s news output, have raised questions about potential conflicts of interest. For instance, working with organizations that have their own media platforms or agendas could, in the eyes of critics, undermine the BBC’s reputation for neutrality.

The scandal has also reignited broader discussions about the BBC’s transparency policies. Introduced under Director-General Tim Davie, the external events register was designed to prevent exactly this kind of controversy. Yet Myrie’s case is not isolated—other presenters have also faced scrutiny for undeclared earnings, though none on the same scale. The incident has prompted calls for tighter regulations, with some suggesting caps on the number of external engagements BBC staff can undertake. There is also growing pressure for the corporation to clarify what constitutes a “rival” organization, as the line between acceptable side work and conflicting interests remains blurry.

For Myrie, the fallout from this scandal could have lasting implications. His reputation as a trusted broadcaster, built over decades of delivering news with gravitas and charm, now faces scrutiny. While his supporters argue that the oversight was an honest mistake, detractors see it as a symptom of a deeper issue: the temptation for high-profile presenters to capitalize on their fame in ways that may not align with the BBC’s public service ethos. Myrie’s decision to step back from external work may help mitigate the damage, but the public’s trust—hard-earned and easily lost—will take time to rebuild.

As the dust settles, the Clive Myrie saga serves as a cautionary tale for the media industry. It highlights the delicate balance between personal ambition and public duty, especially for those in the spotlight at a publicly funded institution like the BBC. For now, Myrie remains a prominent figure on air, continuing to anchor news bulletins and quiz shows with his signature poise. But the questions linger: How did such a significant oversight go unnoticed for so long? And what does this mean for the future of transparency in broadcasting? As the BBC navigates this turbulent chapter, one thing is clear: Clive Myrie’s double life has opened a Pandora’s box of controversy that will not be easily forgotten.