BBC 'to cut presenter wages by 25%'

BBC executives have warned top presenters that they will have to face a pay cut because of the ongoing recession.

Around 100 TV and radio stars are said to have attended a meeting in West London, including Jeremy Clarkson, Terry Wogan and Bruce Forsyth. Jonathan Ross, Chris Moyles and Graham Norton were not present.

The presenters were reportedly told that staff earning over £100,000 a year will have their wages reduced by 25% when contracts are renegotiated, with higher-paid stars facing a drop of up to 40%.

A BBC spokesman said: "No organisation is immune from the economic climate and we have to find substantial savings. Talent fees are not excluded from the economic pressures faced across the organisation and these will be reflected in our ongoing negotiations.

"This was an internal event as part of our ongoing dialogue with the artists and presenters who work for us."

An agent told The Guardian: "I find it disgusting. The BBC is taking it out on the talent, while its executives have made the mistakes. They messed up over Ross, they have bad property problems, and they have spread themselves too thinly over too many services."

One of the stars added: "I thought we were going in for a sociable glass of wine and canapés, but instead there was this very grim meeting. No-one was left in any doubt what they were getting at."