Patricia Greene, who has voiced Jill Archer in the Radio 4 soap for an astonishing 60 years, claimed she received a shocking £16,000 for her services from the broadcaster.
The 86-year-old told the Telegraph: “I think I got £16,000 last year from the Beeb.”
But the veteran actress modestly added: “That’s what we get. We don’t talk money much, we talk content.”
Mrs Greene’s admission comes after a report revealed the salaries of some of the corporation’s top talent.
Figures such as former Top Gear host and DJ Chris Evans reportedly raked in more than £2million.
But Mrs Greene lashed out at the salaries, pouring scorn in particular on the earnings of radio stars.
She said: “It’s obscene. You don’t earn that kind of money sitting at a microphone, do you? You can’t, it’s just ridiculous.”
And of Mr Evans, she said: “He’s probably a very nice chap and he’s very clever, and I loved him when he did the toothbrush programme [Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush] but I don’t think £2 million is a good fee for somebody on the radio.”
Other top earners at the taxpayer-funded broadcaster include Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker, who receives at least £1.8million, according to the list.
But the revelations sparked a row over gender equality when it was revealed women at the BBC were paid far less than their male counterparts.
The best-paid female was Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman, 45, who earns between £450,000 and £499,999.
BBC Director-General Lord Hall admitted on Saturday that more must be done to end the gender pay gap among top talent at the corporation.
Daily Express :: TV and Radio Feed
