R208 million.

Jeremy Clarkson, the famous presenter on popular TV show Top Gear made a killing last year. The R208 million included his presenter’s salary, dividends and share buyouts. His dividend payout was over R59 million and his presenter’s salary was over R14 million. To add to that, Clarkson received more than R118 million for his 30% share in Bedder 6. All these pennies added up to the R208 million total earnings for the year ending March.

in 2008 BBC Worldwide, Clarkson and executive producer of Top Gear Andy Wilman created Bedder 6. It has resulted in Clarkson earning about R148 million in dividends over five years. Spokesperson for BBC Worldwide said:

In just five years the business grew its profits five-fold (and its revenue to £149m), which would not have been possible without the involvement of the show’s creative talent. The deal also secured the future of the Top Gear brand for the BBC and BBC Worldwide and we now benefit from 100% of its profit stream.

[Source: The Guardian]