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BBC slashes pay of One Show presenter Christine Bleakley
Rashid Razaq20 Feb 2009
BBC One Show presenter Christine Bleakley has reportedly taken a pay cut as the corporation slashes salaries for stars.
Bleakley, 29, has agreed a two-year deal to present the magazine programme with Adrian Chiles, but on a lower salary. She is believed to be paid about £100,000 a year, the Sun reported.
A source told the newspaper: "The BBC played serious hardball over this - their view was that nobody is worth holding on to at any cost any more. They figure there are plenty of stars out there who can replace people who demand too much.
"Christine is happy doing the One Show and is realistic about the financial pressures the BBC is facing in the current climate."
The BBC is putting pressure on well-paid performers to accept lower pay deals.
Reader views (19)
Leave Christine alone shes great, dump Chiles, Clarkson and Ross.
- Jim, UK, 23/02/2009 08:14
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What about Mr. J. Ross?.
Enough said.
- John L., Scarborough, N. YKS, U.K., 21/02/2009 09:23
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Interesting that she has accepted more money than Jonathan Ross deserves. Am I the only one who remembers the days when the BBC paid only a living wage but with the promise that if you did well and put in the time you could eventually hope to do well with one of the commercial channels?
- Casper Slides, France at the moment, 20/02/2009 18:21
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Christine is the best reason for watching the One Show; Adrian is possibly another. But salaries should be slashed even further, by a half for all those in the entertainment business.
- Dhanraj, basildon, 20/02/2009 18:08
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Both presenters are very odd and amateurish My point is reinforced by the fact that she didn't take the hint and look for another job within the BBC - preferably in the back office somewhere. Frankly, I wonder where they find these people! Have you seen the creepy presenters on Working Lunch - they are downright weird.
- Raymond, Poole, 20/02/2009 17:48
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One effect seems to be that Adrian has smartened himself up recently, he has made the transition from uber - slob to slightly slobby, let us applaud progress, however slight.
- Frank H., London., 20/02/2009 16:29
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I think she's creepy! She is so irritating and dumb, I would really prefer the Beeb to find her something else to do, preferably at a time when I'm not watching.
- Brian Clapham, London, 20/02/2009 15:48
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"Interesting that those who can't really fight back are targeted, but not Jonathan Ross et al.
- Pam, london"
Pam, what are you going on about? "can't really fight back"! I'm no cheerleader for Jonathan Ross, but if she was nearly as bankable as he and is dissatisfied with her deal, then she could fight back by offering her services elsewhere...maybe she could read the autocue on Richard and Judy's show...I hear they regularly attract a mighty 12000 viewers...I wonder what salary she coult attract there...having fought back?
- Escobar A-Lop-Lop, Camden County, 20/02/2009 15:44
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Cut the little snitch bloke who sits next to her as well.
- Ebin Donk, angus scotland, 20/02/2009 14:30
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Glad to hear they are belated negotiating with presenters. Even £100k seems too much for Bleakley who is easily replacable.
Hopefully the BBC can also get more commercial with all the celebrities on dragons den, chefs etc. who have seem to be using the BBC's commercial naivete to great personal advantage in terms of free advertising for themselves and their little business empires.
- Mike, london, 20/02/2009 14:05
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I think she is still over paid by £50 000 and the show is a bit creepy.
- Stephend, London, England, 20/02/2009 13:54
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Give me Christine Bleakley over Johnathon Ross any day. As she comes at one sixtieth of the cost of Jonathon Ross, the BBC is making economies in the wrong place.
- Martin Fielding, London, England, 20/02/2009 13:13
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I happen to think Christine is good value for money when you compare her salary to the likes of Ross et al. I enjoy The One Show though, so perhaps I'm biased.
- Isabel, Woking, 20/02/2009 13:03
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Get rid of the political correct show now as the majority viewers have switched away since the Golliwog saga blew out of control due to the left wing mafia in the BBC lost all common sense.
- Joe, Swanley Kent, 20/02/2009 12:44
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Interesting that those who can't really fight back are targeted, but not Jonathan Ross et al.
- Pam, london, 20/02/2009 12:34
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Good.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 20/02/2009 12:21
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Save more money, get rid of the one show.
- Fly, london, 20/02/2009 12:21
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Get rid of the established high paid presenters on the BBC and let some new low-cost talent have a go.
They couldn't be any worse, but it would enable the Beeb to halve the licence fee !
- Cap, London, 20/02/2009 12:13
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This makes a lot of sense and is welcome BUT does the same goes for mediocre Adrian Chiles or is the BBC only targeting the younger members of staff who have no or little choice but to play ball?
- Daniel, London, 20/02/2009 12:04
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