Pay Cuts Pending for BBC Stars

LONDON: BBC personalities have been told they can expect their salaries to be reduced when their contracts come up for renewal, as part of the pubcaster’s efforts to cut costs.

Television stars such as Bruce Forsyth and Sir Terry Wogan were reportedly called to BBC headquarters for a briefing on the planned cuts, part of the organization’s efforts to save an additional £400 million, after already announcing planned efficiency savings of £1.9 billion.

A BBC spokesman is quoted as saying: "No organization 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 organization and these will be reflected in our ongoing negotiations.”

The BBC has already placed a pay and bonus freeze on senior managers as part of its cost-cutting initiatives.