Ross faces £4.5 million pay cut

Jonathan Ross is reportedly facing a £4.5 million pay cut as the BBC seeks to trim costs.

According to The Sun, the broadcaster is looking to reduce the salaries of radio and TV presenters earning more than £100,000 a year by 25%.

The BBC's new policy will come into effect when renegotiating contracts with talent. Ross is believed to be earning £18 million on a three-year contract, while Sir Terry Wogan, Chris Moyles, Jeremy Clarkson and Barbara Windsor are also on lucrative deals.

A source said of the new proposals: "The BBC, like many organisations, has to make radical savings. Hundreds of staff have been told they will have to have a pay freeze and lose their bonuses. It's only right big stars feel the same pain. This will send a signal to licence payers that no one is safe from the cost-cutting."

The BBC is allegedly willing to let its high-profile stars walk away should they not agree to new contracts.

"If someone says, 'I'm not prepared to accept that deal', then the BBC will say, 'OK, thanks, see you'," added the source. "All the other broadcasters are slashing costs, so they're confident that whatever they offer will be market rates - just lower than before."

Ross recently returned to work following a three-month suspension for leaving lewd messages on Andrew Sachs's voicemail. He caused further controversy on his Saturday Radio 2 show when he suggested that his producer have sex with an elderly women.