CHAT SHOW STAR RAPS NOSY MPS
GRAHAM Norton says nosy MPs should look into the salaries paid to ITV stars.
The chat show king blasted MPs for poking their noses into what he and other BBC stars earn.
Norton stormed: “What would really shock the public is to discover the disparity between ITV and the BBC. People would go ‘Wow!’”
BBC stars’ pay packets are now made public following a recent Government ruling where ministers decided the channel’s licence feepayers “deserve to know and reach a judgment for themselves over whether that is good value for money”.
In the summer, the latest figures were published showing that the high earners were Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker on £1.7million a year,
DJ Chris Evans on £1.2m and Norton on £610,000.
However, the Irish talk show host is not happy that everyone knows how much he’s paid and calls the move “eggy” – meaning annoying.
He accuses MPs of being obsessed with BBC stars’ salaries and claims viewers should compare them to their counterparts at ITV.
Norton added: “That’s what’s odd about this situation, for the top 20 of us at the BBC. For some reason MPs want to know what famous people at the BBC earn.
“If they could get ITV to tell them what Schofield gets, love to know.”
It is claimed the This Morning host banks around £1.7m a year for his shows such as This Morning, Dancing On Ice and Five Gold Rings.
Norton claims the public should remember licence fees – which amount to £3.7billion for the Beeb every year – don’t just go on salaries.
He adds: “We all know there are people who earn a lot more than me and Gary. All the people who say: ‘He earns that, he doesn’t deserve that,’ they’re absolutely right.
“I don’t discuss money. I don’t meet BBC director-general Tony Hall and go: ‘Actually Tony, I’d like some more. Thanks Tony.’” Phillip they’d