Wanamaker speaks out over TV 'sexism'

Zoë Wanamaker has called for an end to sexism within the TV industry, insisting that actors and actresses should receive equal pay.

In an interview with The Stage newspaper, Wanamaker claimed that she had been forced to "fight" to secure the same salary as Robert Lindsay when negotiating her contract for their BBC One sitcom My Family.

The star continued: "Women are always at the bottom as far as pay is concerned - the equal pay business is a big struggle."

Wanamaker also said that agents and bookers should be "more careful" when negotiating deals for female performers in the future.

She added: "Why should women get less? They have the same responsibilities, if not more, especially if they are married and have kids."

Responding to Wanamaker's remarks, a BBC spokesman told The Daily Telegraph: "We will not go into specifics on talent pay but we are absolutely committed to equality for men and women. There are many factors which determine artists' salaries and which results in them being paid at varying levels. The BBC hugely values Zoë Wanamaker as an artist."

The actress has appeared in My Family since its debut series in 2000.