Pay Cuts For Cast

[sootycat]

From DS



EastEnders stars 'receive pay cuts'

EastEnders stars have reportedly been told by BBC executives to choose between taking a 15% pay cut or having less time on screen.

According to The Mirror, Barbara Windsor and Steve McFadden, who star as Peggy and Phil Mitchell, will see their £360,000 salaries reduced by around £54,000. Meanwhile, Pam St Clement (Pat Evans) will have £49,500 knocked off her £330,000 yearly income and Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale, will earn £263,500 annually rather than £310,000.

An insider on the soap said: "Everybody realises there is a recession on and everybody has to do their bit. But some of the stars feel like they are being bullied into taking a pay cut. The licence fee has stayed the same and the same money is coming in.

"Yet the people who bring in the viewers are being told they have to take a cut. It is not fair and a lot of people are unhappy. Everyone who comes in can't work on other shows so they can't cut their hours and pick up work elsewhere."

However, a BBC source said: "Most of the cast understand the reason behind the cuts and just appreciate having work in these difficult times when so many people are struggling financially."

Earlier this week, Jonathan Creek actor Alan Davies revealed that he was accepting a pay cut. Other celebrities are also seeing their salaries fall.

A BBC spokesperson added: "EastEnders, along with other BBC programmes, has to reduce its budget over the next few years. Talent salaries are not excluded when looking to make these savings."

[RitaLittlewood]

They get too much money as it is. No one feels sympathy with the greedy at a time they're struggling to pay bills while losing jobs.

Patsy

[pearly queen]

Absolutely - they earn a disgusting amount of money.

I didn't understand the comment that they're not allowed to work elsewhere. I've recently heard Babs Windsor's voice on at least two adverts: Tescos and Pontins holidays, so I hope she doesn't start whining about being skint. Adverts are apparently very, very lucrative.
She is occasionally interviewed on tv by people like Jonathon Ross, as was Patsy Palmer when she returned to EE, and Nigel Harman also appeared on Wossy during his stint as Dennis Rickman. I doubt they did it for nothing.
When I was in the audience for the Weakest Link Celebrity EE Special Linda Henry (Surly) moaned that they weren't being paid for being there, so maybe they have to do the occasional charity gig for nothing - but NO WAY is Babs Windsor donating her voiceover talents to Tesco and Pontins for nowt.