BBC 'gets a discount on star presenters'

The BBC has claimed that it hires its star presenters for a lower rate than they would receive from commercial broadcasters.

Director general Mark Thompson told MPs yesterday that it was normal for stars' contracts to include confidentiality clauses over their pay, adding that many may refuse to work for the broadcaster if they were absent.

Thompson said: "Our approach is absolutely to try to drive the best bargain we can for the licence-fee payer for the talent we use.

"We would expect to get a discount to their market value, because of the BBC and its status.

"That means they should be prepared to work for less for the BBC, and they do."

However, chairman of the Commons public accounts committee Edward Leigh said that it was "disgraceful" that the BBC does not disclose details of presenters' wages.

"You claim you have to pay so much to presenters because of their market value, but you are setting the pace," he added.

Last year, an official investigation found that the BBC does not pay too much for its big-name stars.