Michael McInhired

BBC comedy star McIntyre signs a ‘multi-million’ deal with rival Netflix

THE BBC’s biggest comedy star Michael McIntyre will perform his stand-up show on Netflix in a deal thought to be worth millions.

A source revealed: “Netflix believe that Michael’s shock move will mark a huge demand for British comedy in their division this year.”

McIntyre, 43, has become a lynchpin of the BBC after hosting

BBC One’s Michael

McIntyre’s Big Show which pulled in more than seven million views an episode in 2018.

He is also known for stellar appearances on The Royal Variety Show, Live at The Apollo and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow.

But the Beeb might not lose its ace performer completely. He could follow naturalist Sir David Atttenborough and work for both the BBC and the streaming giant. Not that he needs the cash. He is said to be worth £62million and in 2012 was the world’s highest-paid stand-up.

In 2018 he became the hottest ticket in the history of London’s O2 Arena, selling more than 400,000 seats over a 28-show run.

Michael follows in the footsteps of Ricky Gervais, 58, who said he’d got the highest payday ever for a UK stand-up special for his Netflix show Humanity in 2017. His pay was said to have been £30million.

It’s been a miserable few months for the Beeb. It’s been hammered by the Government over its funding model and has lost a slew of talent to the steaming services including Fleabag star Phoebe Waller Bridge, who signed a deal with Amazon.

McIntyre will record his first special for Netflix at the London Palladium on March 5 and 6.

HUGE DRAW Comic Michael