Stars ‘paid thousands’ for charity quiz shows
MILLIONAIRE celebrities are being paid thousands to appear on charity quiz shows, it is claimed.
Stars including comedian Jimmy Carr – who is worth £12million – reportedly pocketed up to £5,000 each for taking part in specials of ITV’s Catchphrase. Others thought to have received four-figure sums include Jonathan Ross, actress Linda Robson and Cold Feet star Fay Ripley.
Katie Price, David Walliams and Carol Vorderman have also appeared on Catchphrase, which was revived in 2013 after nine years off air. Chat show host Ross, who is worth around £24million, is understood to have donated his fee to charity – though it is unclear if the others followed suit.
The BBC’s Pointless Celebrities also reportedly pays famous contestants, handing them up to £10,000 even if they win no money for charity.
Olympic athlete Tessa Sanderson admitted she was paid for an appearance on the quiz show, but claimed it was ‘hundreds, not thousands’.
A TV source told The Sun: ‘Obviously they are giving their time for good causes, but viewers probably wouldn’t expect the stars to be paid.’ An insider said the episodes are for entertainment purposes and not referred to as charity specials or appeals.
An ITV spokesman said: ‘We never discuss artist contracts for ITV shows.’ None of the celebrities commented when contacted yesterday.