The salaries of BBC executives are in the public domain, but the corporation has refused to divulge how much its talent such as Chris Moyles and Ross get paid.

Speaking at the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee, Conservative MP Nigel Evans called for the salaries of BBC celebrities to be made public.

He said that everyone knew how much the Prime Minister (£188,931) and a Home Secretary (£137,579) earned a year.

He added: "The director-general of the BBC earns £788,000, that’s four times above the Prime Minister. I would see that as a badge of honour for yourself."

Mr Thompson said it had a duty of confidence to protect employees and not divulge how much they were paid.

Mr Evans continued: "Don’t you believe that people who are struggling to find the licence fee every year, some people do find it difficult, I know that might be difficult for someone earning £788,000 to understand, for a farmer in my constituency earning £20,000 struggling to pay the licence fee, don’t they have the right to know what the likes of Jonathan Ross is earning?"

There was anger in many quarters when the corporation handed talk show host Jonathan a reported £18 million pay deal over three years for his radio and TV work.

Little Britain stars David Walliams and Matt Lucas are said to be picking up £6 million, and Graham Norton £5 million over a similar period.


Moyles and Ross up for radio Oscars - Mar 28 2007
Jonathan Ross and Chris Moyles have been nominated for the radio industry’s answer to the Oscars.

Radio 2 star Ross is a contender for Personality of the Year and faces competition from the likes of Chris Evans, Mark Radcliffe and Andy Kershaw.

Moyles could win the Entertainment Award for the second year running for his Radio 1 breakfast show.

He is up against Radio 2’s Chris Evans once again and Heart breakfast host Jamie Theakston.

But Moyles and Radio 2 favourite Terry Wogan have been snubbed in the award for best breakfast show.

Instead the contenders are Radio 4’s Today Programme, Five Live Breakfast and three regional programmes: The Bush & Troy Show (GWR FM Bristol), The Jo & Twiggy Breakfast Show (96 Trent FM) and Toolan In The Morning (Key 103 Manchester).

John Humphrys of Radio 4’s Today programme has two nominations, for News Journalist and Speech Broadcaster of the Year.

Former Inspiral Carpets star Clint Boon also has a double nomination - Music Broadcaster of the Year and the Specialist Music Programme Award for his show on XFM Manchester.

Radio 1, Radio 2 and Classic FM are the three contenders for UK Station of the Year.

The 25th annual awards will take place on April 30.

Wossy to host Royal Variety - Nov 25 2006
Jonathan Ross is to host this year’s Royal Variety Performance, attended by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

It will be the presenter’s first Royal Variety appearance - and organisers will be hoping he tones down his act for the occasion.