BBC to cut stars' wages by 25%

The BBC has warned its biggest stars they face a minimum 25% pay cut.

Top-earning personalities including Bruce Forsyth, Jonathan Ross and Graham Norton could even see their salaries slashed by half as the network seeks to cut costs.

Bruce, Terry Wogan and Jeremy Clarkson were among 100 people called to a meeting where director-general Mark Thompson told of the cutbacks.

A source said: “Some of the guests thought it was a get-together over champagne and canapés but it left many feeling they had been to a blood-bath.

“It was very downbeat. Basically anyone onscreen earning over £100,000 is looking at a massive pay cut – 25 per cent minimum, with some deals being halved. It was a grim speech with many shocked at how far the cuts will go.”

Bruce is set to enter negotiations for his ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ contract and is expected to see the £900,000 he was paid for the last series dropped to £500,000.

Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles is also about to enter negotiations for a new contract, with insiders claiming his current £630, 000 deal will be reduced to £450, 000.

Jonathan and Graham missed the meeting but the two hosts are expected to be offered deals at less than 50 per cent of their current £6 million and £2.5 million a year respective salaries.

While the BBC are cutting their top stars’ wages, ITV are determined to splash out to keep ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ hosts Ant and Dec on an exclusive deal.

The duo – full names Anthony McPartland and Declan Donnelly – were warned in January they needed to accept a pay cut to their £20m deals, but are still expected to be offered £15m.

A source said: Watching the boys on form on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ is something to behold. It clearly shows we have to do everything we can to keep them exclusive.

“It’s all about making Ant and Dec work on their plans for the future and helping them become bigger stars.”

The 33-year-old presenters have previously said they are prepared to take a cut in their salaries when their current three-year ‘golden handcuffs’ deal with ITV ends.

Ant said: “Everybody is suffering – it is global – but what we’re interested in is making great shows.”