At least ten female BBC presenters will consider legal action against the BBC if the corporation does not close the gender pay gap, in a revolt by women who did not appear on the £150,000 list.

The women, household names from radio and television, were furious to learn that male colleagues who shared their job descriptions are significantly better paid.

Since the list of the BBC’s highest earners was published on Wednesday, female presenters have been contacting each other to discuss the way forward. The number is expected to grow in the coming days.