Jeremy Clarkson to ignore a BBC budget squeeze - 30th Dec 2008 2:37am
PRESENTER Jeremy Clarkson last night vowed to ignore a BBC budget squeeze threatening to put the skids under Top Gear.
Savage 30% cuts mean the hit motoring show could see its run halved next year from 14 to just seven shows.
Its expensive stunts also face the axe. But Jezza, 48, warned Beeb bean counters: “We’ll just keep going as normal until the cash runs out.”
Despite his bullish approach, producers fear the show, seen by up to eight million viewers, will be hit by the Beeb’s cash crisis. The cuts are being caused by a £140m shortfall.
Executive producer Andy Wilman said: “Clarkson has had a brainwave in making this as painless as possible.
“Basically, instead of trimming back a little bit on every show – losing a helicopter here or a truck crash there – we’ll endeavour to make 13 of our 14 shows as per the usual standard.
“And then the last one, when we only have a tenner left, will be utter, utter sh*te.”
The presenters’ salaries have not been hit – yet.
Clarkson is believed to get £2m-a-year, while Richard Hammond, 39, and James May, 45, get £25,000 a show.
Savage 30% cuts mean the hit motoring show could see its run halved next year from 14 to just seven shows.
Its expensive stunts also face the axe. But Jezza, 48, warned Beeb bean counters: “We’ll just keep going as normal until the cash runs out.”
Despite his bullish approach, producers fear the show, seen by up to eight million viewers, will be hit by the Beeb’s cash crisis. The cuts are being caused by a £140m shortfall.
Executive producer Andy Wilman said: “Clarkson has had a brainwave in making this as painless as possible.
“Basically, instead of trimming back a little bit on every show – losing a helicopter here or a truck crash there – we’ll endeavour to make 13 of our 14 shows as per the usual standard.
“And then the last one, when we only have a tenner left, will be utter, utter sh*te.”
The presenters’ salaries have not been hit – yet.
Clarkson is believed to get £2m-a-year, while Richard Hammond, 39, and James May, 45, get £25,000 a show.
