Jonathan Ross offers to take £3 million pay cut

Published on Thursday 17 December 2009 10:59

JONATHAN ROSS is said to have offered to accept a 50% pay cut – which would slash his annual salary by £3 million.

The 49-year-old radio and TV presenter is also thought to have agreed to shorten his contract to two years.

Ross's current three-year deal, put at 18 million, is due to run out next year and he could be paid 3 million a year under the offer.

However, it is understood discussions over the final deal and settlement figure are still being hammered out.

Last year, Ross was suspended for three months after he and Russell Brand left lewd phone messages for Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs.

Around 40,000 complaints were made about the prank calls, which were broadcast on Brand's Radio 2 show.

The BBC has also come under pressure over the past year to reveal details of the pay of individual stars.

A source close to Ross told The Sun: "Jonathan is happy to stay at the BBC and is fully aware he needs to take a pay cut.

"He has offered to take a 50% pay cut and will be committed to his TV and radio shows."

The BBC said it did not discuss artists' contracts.