New Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker will be paid the same as current Time Lord Peter Capaldi, according to BBC Director-General Tony Hall.

He told the Evening Standard there would be “parity” between the two actors as the corporation was forced to deal with claims of sexism after the publication of its pay report revealed a huge gender gap.

Whittaker’s agent declined to comment but the files, published yesterday, showed Capaldi was paid between £200,000 and £249,999 for 2016/17 while he was playing the title role in the cult show.

Hall said he was “incredibly excited” about Whittaker’s appointment, adding: “And I do think it is time for 13th Time Lord to be a woman.”

In an interview with the Standard he said: "Yes, there is parity for the same amount of work.

"And I do think it is time for 13th Time Lord to be a woman. I watched my first Doctor Who in the Sixties, hiding behind the sofa. As a devoted Whovian, I’m incredibly excited."

The BBC admitted some viewers had complained about the casting for the former Broadchurch star but defended the actress, telling fans: “The Doctor is an alien from the planet Gallifrey and it has been established in the show that Time Lords can switch gender.”

Hall’s comment came hours after the BBC’s 96 highest earners were revealed, with Chris Evans topping the list.

The presenter was paid between £2.2 million and £2,249,999 during 2016/17 for his work at the BBC, which included Top Gear and Radio 2.

The salary was four times that of the highest-earning woman, Claudia Winkleman, who took home £450,000 to £499,999 for her work on Strictly Come Dancing and radio.

Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis failed to make the corporation’s list of £150,000-plus earners, while it was revealed her co-presenter Evan Davies’ salary was £250,000 and £299,999.

The news sparked speculation that she may leave the BBC, with an insider telling The Sun that her “future hangs in the balance”.

“Emily had showdown talks with Newsnight boss Ian Katz ahead of the publication of the salaries,” they said.

“They made her an offer and she did not accept it. As it stands, her future hangs in the balance.

“Emily is totally furious as she feels like she has been lied to. For her not to be on the list is unbelievable.”

Alex Armitage, her agent, tweeted that her exclusion from the pay list was “beyond madness and being dealt with”.

A BBC spokesman told the Standard: “Emily is one of the brightest stars in British journalism.

Doctor Who Time Lords - In pictures 17 show all Doctor Who Time Lords - In pictures 1/17 David Tennant PA 2/17 William Hartnell BBC 3/17 Peter Capaldi BBC 4/17 Matt Smith BBC 5/17 Jodie Whittaker BBC 6/17 Matt Smith, David Tennant and John Hurt PA 7/17 Matt Smith and David Tennant PA 8/17 Christopher Ecclestone BBC 9/17 Paul McGann BBC 10/17 Sylvester McCoy BBC 11/17 Colin Baker PA 12/17 Peter Davison BBC 13/17 Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Peter Davison and Richard Hurndall in the Five Doctors (1983) BBC 14/17 Tom Baker BBC 15/17 Jon Pertwee PA 16/17 Patrick Troughton BBC 17/17 Image from the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who with William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Ecclestonem, David Tennant and Matt Smith BBC 1/17 David Tennant PA 2/17 William Hartnell BBC 3/17 Peter Capaldi BBC 4/17 Matt Smith BBC 5/17 Jodie Whittaker BBC 6/17 Matt Smith, David Tennant and John Hurt PA 7/17 Matt Smith and David Tennant PA 8/17 Christopher Ecclestone BBC 9/17 Paul McGann BBC 10/17 Sylvester McCoy BBC 11/17 Colin Baker PA 12/17 Peter Davison BBC 13/17 Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Peter Davison and Richard Hurndall in the Five Doctors (1983) BBC 14/17 Tom Baker BBC 15/17 Jon Pertwee PA 16/17 Patrick Troughton BBC 17/17 Image from the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who with William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Ecclestonem, David Tennant and Matt Smith BBC

“Emily has been off rota for several weeks now while we negotiate a new contract and we hope to reach an agreement soon.”

John Humphrys, the BBC’s highest paid news presenter, said he is unable to explain his £600,000 salary.

He told BBC Newsnight: “I’m not sure I could explain it, to be absolutely honest.

“But I suppose I would say I have been with the BBC for a very long time, as in 50 years. I’ve been with the Today programme for 30 years.”

The presenter, who also hosts the BBC 2 quiz show Mastermind, said he has never asked for more money.

Jeremy Vine was slammed as “grossly overpaid” as his £700,000-£749,999 pay packet fast became the topic of conversation on his Radio 2 show.

Former coal miner Harry Jones, from Glamorgan, asked Vine if he is “embarrassed” to pick up his pay cheque

Vine replied: “I just feel very lucky every day, is the answer to that,” before Mr Jones asked: “Do you think you're overpaid?”

The broadcaster responded: “I don't really want to answer that because I don't think it's the moment for me.”

BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker defended his pay after he was criticised for having a larger salary than his co-presenters Louise Minchin and Naga Munchetty.

He tweeted: “BBC exec should really know that we get exactly the same for BBC breakfast. I have another job on Football Focus.”