Three powerful talent agents represent up to 20 BBC’s highest-paid stars.

The news aroused people’s concerns License fee cash is swallowed by soaring wages.

Agents have close ties with Beeb, and in some cases, they can obtain up to 15% of lucrative transactions on behalf of their clients. One is Mary Greenham, a former BBC employee, whose celebrity clients enjoy a salary boom.

Her website says that she represents at least 12 of the BBC’s most well-known reporters, including Andrew Marr, Sophie Lavos, Nick Robinson and Laura Kunsberg. Her client pays a license fee of £3 million per year.

Another company with a large list of BBC stars is Noel Gay Agency.

It represents Fiona Bruce, who paid £409,999 to read the news and present Q&A time. She separately charged a six-figure fee to host the antique road show.

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The third is KBJ. Its clients include Mary Berry, with annual revenues of up to £219,999. Conservative MP Nigel Mills said: “It is worrying that very few agents have such power in the BBC.” The BBC did not comment.

Ms. Greenham said: “I have never taken close to 15% of the money.

“Since the pandemic, my entire business has been struggling. I am not discussing how to charge customers.” Other agents did not respond to requests for comment.