10:25AM, Jun 11, 2009
The BBC has told some of its top stars that they could be receiving a pay cut of up to 40 per cent.
In a meeting held yesterday, director general Mark Thompson told talent how the BBC faced unprecented pressure due to the economic climate.
Top earners including Jonathan Ross, Graham Norton and Chris Moyles were notably absent. Although other high profile talent including, Terry Wogan, Bruce Forsyth, Lenny Henry and Jeremy Clarkson did attend.
The plan for the corporation is to slash salaries over £100,000 by 25 per cent and with those on mega-buck wages the figure could reach as high as 40 per cent.
The BBC are reacting to public anger over what is seen as over-inflated salaries. Jonathan Ross is believed to rake in £6 million a year alone.
A BBC spokesman said: "No organisation is immune from the economic climate and we have to find substantial savings. Talent fees are not excluded from the economic pressures faced across the organisation and these will be reflected in our ongoing negotiations."
After the meeting there was plenty of reaction. One star told The Guardian: "I thought we were going in for a sociable glass of wine and canapés, but instead there was this very grim meeting."
Agents are up in arms too: "I find it disgusting," said one. "The BBC is taking it out on the talent, while its executives have made the mistakes. They messed up over Ross, they have bad property problems, and they have spread themselves too thinly over too many services. And now they are taking it out on the middle ranks – people at the top of their game earning £100,000 to £250,000 who have commitments and mortgages like everyone else.
"They have the talent over a barrel. The person hiring can do what they want, and currently there is little demand for anyone's services anywhere else. An entertainment star might threaten to go to ITV, but not in the present climate."
One household name was more realistic about the situation and told The Guardian: "The problem is no one has got any sympathy for people like me, so it seems churlish to start moaning.
"Many people will take the line: 'Keep me on, I'll take a pay cut to keep up my public profile.' The thing is, no one is on the breadline."
Never has a truer word been spoken.
Over at 'cash-strapped' ITV, stars Ant and Dec have also had to take a pay cut of 25 per cent, cutting their golden handshake deal down to a cool £15million.
We say nice work if you can get it.
