Greg James reveals eye-watering BBC radio salary he bagged at 21

Greg James has long been one of the most familiar voices on BBC Radio 1, waking up millions of listeners every weekday on the Breakfast Show. But the presenter has recently revealed just how much faith bosses placed in him when he was still fresh out of university. The broadcaster, now 39, shared in his upcoming book All the Best for the Future: Growing Up Without Growing Old that his very first pay packet at Radio 1, aged only 21, came to a remarkable £80,000 a year - as reported by the Daily Mail.

It was a decision that set him on course for a career spanning nearly two decades at the station, and ultimately the coveted breakfast slot. James had just graduated from the University of East Anglia in 2007 when he was faced with a life-changing choice. He had two offers on the table: one at a local radio station for around £18,000 a year, and another from Radio 1 worth more than four times that.

He opted for the national stage, presenting his first Early Breakfast Show the very day after finishing his studies. Speaking to The Times, he admitted that he was stunned by the offer, describing it as a huge leap from regional radio. "I just couldn't believe it - I had no idea of salaries then," he said, noting that rates for new presenters have since dropped.

Today James earns a reported £425,000 annually as host of Radio 1 Breakfast, where he attracts around 4.1 million listeners. With salaries such as his often under public scrutiny, he explained why he chose to share details of his first contract in the book. "If you are going to print my salary, I'm going to tell you my first salary. If that's the game, then fine."

James also took the opportunity to defend the BBC itself, describing it as an "imperfect" organisation but one that he believes still serves a vital purpose.

"I massively respect the BBC and its mission - you can't have 5,000 presenters spouting personal opinions all day," he explained. "Yes, it's imperfect and will always be, but that's because the BBC is a bunch of humans running a huge corporation."

All the Best for the Future, due out on Thursday September 25, mixes memoir with light-hearted self-help. It encourages readers not to lose their sense of silliness as they grow older, something James says is central both to his outlook and his on-air persona.

The book includes reflections on career milestones, financial realities, and the lessons he has picked up along the way, all written in a tone that mirrors the playful spirit of his Breakfast Show.