Jonathan Ross offers to take £3m pay cut

Published on Thursday 17 December 2009 23:35

JONATHAN Ross is reported to have volunteered to accept a 50 per cent pay cut – which would slash his annual salary by £3 million.

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

Ross's current three-year deal, estimated to be worth 18 million, is due to run out next year and he could be paid 3 million a year under the new 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 is reported as saying: "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 per cent pay cut and will be committed to his TV and radio shows."

The BBC refused to comment yesterday, saying that it was the corporation's policy not to discuss the contracts of individual artists and performers.