Sir Paul is the richest of them all

Friday, 31 October 2003 12:00 AM

Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney has topped a list of the UK's highest earning media figures.

Macca, who became a father for the fourth time this week at the age of 61, made more than £40 million in 2003, compared with £35 million in earnings the previous year.

All but £4 million of his pay packet came from his recent Back In The World tour.

Other old rockers featured in the list were Eric Clapton (£13.8 million), Rod Stewart (£13 million) Rolling Stones Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards (£12 million each) and Ozzy Osborne (£8 million).

Singer Robbie Williams was at number four in the list, earning a massive £26 million in 2003 - £15 million of that from his Escapology tour.

Backing teenage stars paid off for pop impresarios Simon Fuller and 'Mr Nasty' Simon Cowell this year, earning them a whopping £36 million and £33.5 million respectively.

Cowell's earnings leapt dramatically from £3 million to £33.5 million in the year to September 30th. The Pop Idol judge sold 50 per cent of his stake in S records to BMG for a reported £25 million.

The media top ten was dominated by music figures, with Sting, Phil Collins and Sir Elton John all featured.

The Sunday Times Pay List 2003 also includes Gareth Gates, Jamie Oliver and Frasier actress Jane Leeves.

The list differs from the Sunday Times Rich List because it is based on wages or other earnings as opposed to accumulated or inherited wealth.

The full list is published in the Sunday Times newspaper on November 2nd.

Top ten highest paid media stars

1 Sir Paul McCartney - £40m
2 Simon Fuller - 36m
3 Simon Cowell - £33.5m
4 Robbie Williams - £26m
5 Sting - £25.1m
6 Phil Collins - £25.1m
7 Richard Desmond - £22.9m
8 John Mahoney - £16.1m
9= Sir Elton John and Madonna - £15m
Source: Sunday Times Pay List 2003

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