Luvvie elite paid millions of your cash
TWENTY-NINE celebrities and other figures from the arts world wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister yesterday, warning that plans to reform the BBC will harm Britain’s standing in the world. Here, MARIO LEDWITH examines the links between some of the stars and the Corporation:
RACHEL WEISZ: The actress is a close friend of the BBC’s director of television Danny Cohen – and was a bridesmaid at his 2012 wedding. She starred in the BBC-produced spy film Page Eight in 2011.
GARY LINEKER: Hosts Match of the Day for around £2million a year. Has said: ‘ You can never really justify wages in the entertainment business, but it is what it is.’
JK ROWLING: Wrote The Casual Vacancy, which was made into a threepart series for BBC1. Two crime novels – The Cuckoo’s Calling and The Silkworm – are to be adapted by the BBC.
PROFESSOR BRIAN COX: Presents BBC science output, including the hit series Wonders of the Universe.
CLAUDIA WINKLEMAN: One of the BBC’s most recognisable faces, hosting Strictly Come Dancing with Tess Daly, The Great British Sewing Bee and taking over from Jonathan Ross on the Film programme.
LORD BRAGG: Started at the BBC as a trainee in 1961. Renowned for his broadcasts on Radio 4 such as In Our Time which he has hosted since 1998.
JAMIE OLIVER: Now tied to Channel 4, Oliver made his name on The Naked Chef which first aired on BBC2 in 1999. The programme saw his cookbook become a bestseller.
MICHAEL PALIN: First started writing comedy for the BBC after leaving university, before Monty Python began. Spent decades travelling the world for programmes commissioned by BBC bosses. His daughter Rachel has also worked as a director for the BBC.
CHRIS EVANS: The successor to Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear is one of the BBC’s highest paid stars. Also a popular Radio 2 host and part-time presenter of The One Show, he is in line for £5million over three years.
CLARE BALDING: Has presented the BBC’s Countryfile and radio documentaries, reported from five Olympic Games and most recently fronted Wimbledon coverage.
RICHARD CURTIS: Writer of films including Four Weddings and a Funeral has also enjoyed an illustrious TV career. First commissioned to co-write a series with Rowan Atkinson in 1978 for Radio 3, leading to TV hits such as Not the Nine O’Clock News and The Vicar of Dibley. Co-founder of Comic Relief, which is broadcast on BBC1.
STEPHEN FRY: Host of quiz show QI and a regular guest on the Corporation’s other panel shows. He has starred in a range of dramatic productions and presented BBC documentaries.
SIMON SCHAMA: Historian rose to fame after his series A History of Britain aired on the
BBC in 2000. The Labour supporter signed a deal – said to be worth £3million – with the Corporation in 2003 to write three books and front two series.
SIR LENNY HENRY: Worked first as a DJ on Radio 1, before being handed his big break by the BBC in 1984 with The Lenny Henry Show. But he has hit out at Corporation bosses in recent years, saying their plans to see more ethnic minority actors on screen were not working.
MIRANDA HART: Comedienne’s sitcom Miranda first appeared on BBC2 in 2009, having previously been on Radio 2. Also stars in Call the Midwife.
SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: His wildlife series such as Life on Earth have helped the Corporation reap huge rewards selling rights across the world. But in 2013, he described BBC executives’ salaries as a ‘huge embarrassment’.
MICHAEL MCINTYRE: Following regular appearances on Live at the Apollo, the comedian was given a prime- time slot on BBC1 with Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow. This led to his own BBC1 chat show.
GRAHAM NORTON: Comedian’s BBC broadcasts – including The Graham Norton Show – have propelled him to the top of its pay lists. He is thought to receive well over £1million a year from the Corporation.
STEVEN MOFFAT: Writer responsible for two of the BBC’s most popular dramas – Sherlock and Doctor Who.
DANIEL CRAIG: Starred in Bafta- winning BBC series ‘ Our Friends in the North’ in 1996 – often considered the James Bond actor’s breakthrough role.
DAME JUDI DENCH: Was propelled to Hollywood after winning a Bafta for her performance in BBC series Talking to a Stranger in 1966. Appeared in BBC series Cranford in 2007.
MARK RYLANCE: Renowned stage actor won plaudits earlier this year for portraying Thomas Cromwell in the BBC2 adaption of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall.
ADIL RAY: Creator and star of BBC1 sitcom Citizen Khan. Work for BBC radio includes his own Asian Network show.