View Full Version : Two GMTV presenters face the axe in cost-cutting bloodbath
At least two of GMTV’s star presenters are set to lose their jobs in a cost-cutting bloodbath.
ITV wants to axe a minimum of one male and one female anchor as part of the review.
The broadcaster is looking to slash costs by 20% on the flagship breakfast show.
Andrew Castle, 46, John Stapleton, 63, Kate Garraway, 42, Ben Shephard, 35, and Penny Smith, 51, are said to be “anxious beyond belief”.
An insider said the stars were “desperate” for bosses to guarantee their place on the sofa.
The source added: “Everyone is absolutely dreading the results of the review.
“There will very likely be some big-name casualties.”
But insiders told the Mirror that Emma Crosby, 32, is expected to survive the cull.
Crosby – who joined GMTV a year ago after Fiona Phillips resigned – was handed a new contract by the show’s bosses in December. Her £130,000 a year salary has also been increased to £160,000.
Another source said: “Emma has been everything we had hoped for and more.
“She is a natural in front of the camera and comes from a hard news background which only adds to her appeal. The new deal is a reflection of how highly we value her and want to keep her on the show as well as our viewers who have given her great feedback.”
One insider said: “Emma’s new contract is a good sign of how highly she’s rated but everyone is still at risk.
“ITV have carte blanche to rip up contracts as they see fit. The review is well under way and this cull is one of the recommendations.”
Some believe that Shephard is a favourite to survive.
A source said: “Ben is revered and is very unlikely to leave.
“He is a massive face on the channel as a whole and is loved by all the staff.”
Salaries are impressive on the show with Stapleton thought to be on £220,000, Garraway, Castle and Shephard on £200,000 and Smith on £175,000.
ITV took full control of GMTV after buying Disney’s 25% stake in the broadcaster for £22.2million in November.
And the company is looking to start recouping some of that money with these cuts.
Staff say the presenters only realised they might be under threat when the show’s editor of 10 years, Martin Frizell, was axed last month.
A source added: “Everything changed at that moment and we knew ITV meant business.
“Martin was highly regarded and nobody thought he would go. He was the heartbeat of the show and untouchable.”
ITV confirmed that “all areas” were being reviewed.
Mirror
So ITV are having to cut at least two people from the sofa yet the newbie gets a 30k pay rise? Well that makes sense :rolleyes: I'd be pretty pissed off if my job was on the line and my equals were getting pay rises. Why not just cut the salary of everyone to 100k and keep them all?
Another example of TV "stars" being grossly overpaid.
to be honest i think they deserve more than what they get. they are on the sofa 5 days a week.
paul o grady has been given 8 million by itv to sit down for an hour every friday evening. jonathron ross was given 18 million for a chat show, a radio show and that film show. that kind of money is crazy.
Chloe O'brien
07-01-2010, 11:47
They only do two or three mornings each. They may axe Kate and Andrew then have Ben and Emma presenting the five days. Hope they keep Penny on.
LostVoodoo
07-01-2010, 13:15
i love how they pretend GMTV presenters are journalists, it's hilarious. also, i think someone needs to investigate how much ITV uses GMTV to plug it's own programmes; out of a three hour show more than an hour will be devoted to xfactor, dancing on ice, britain's got talent etc
ITV own GMTV outright now so it's up to them how much time is spent on plugging other programs.
Eamonn Holmes is reportedly being considered for a return to GMTV.
The 50-year-old presenter is in talks with ITV bosses about a comeback, having left the morning show five years ago for Sky's Sunrise programme.
An insider told the Sunday Mirror that chiefs want to re-hire Holmes as part of a large-scale revamp of the show. "He's popular with viewers but also has a serious news background which they feel makes him the man for the job," the source said.
ITV said the overhaul of GMTV began in December, adding: "No decisions have been made about the team."
DS
Considering they are supposed to be cost cutting, bringing back one of the most expensive newsreaders in the business, who frankly, wasn't that brilliant (he was ok, but having watched him on sky a few times, I'd rather turn it off tbh) really isn't going to help their bank balance and cost cutting is it?!
That could be why they're looking at losing 2 presenters, as thats what Eamonn's wages would cost (the same as both of them together).
What is the problem with just having two presenters for the whole week? I don't get the need to have five different people. And before anyone throws the childcare/part time work card in, they're all married and can easily afford to pay someone to take the kids to school in a morning. It's not as if they're working 50 hour weeks; they do a breakfast show that runs for three hours a day. Including wardrobe and briefings, I'd estimate they'd work no more than 25 hours doing a five show week.
CrazyLea
10-01-2010, 21:31
And before anyone throws the childcare/part time work card in, they're all married and can easily afford to pay someone to take the kids to school in a morning. It's not as if they're working 50 hour weeks
Some people enjoy taking their kids to childcare, why should they pay some one else to do it when they might want to, just so they can present? Why not have a variety of presenters. Makes it more interesting I guess (I don't watch it, but I'm sure it's better than just the same 2 every day)
The have to get up very early to get there, then do research/briefings, make up and wardrobe etc. They don't just start sitting on the sofa when the cameras start rolling, it is much more involved than that
GMTV bosses are reportedly hoping to introduce a more serious tone when the morning show is revamped.
It is thought that executives plan to emulate the style of Sky News and could approach the channel's Afternoon Live anchor Kay Burley with a possible presenting deal.
Producers recently confirmed that "all areas" of the programme are currently under review, sparking speculation over the future of long-running hosts like Kate Garraway.
A source told the Daily Star: "Sky is the one people turn to for the big breaking news stories. We want that reputation.
"Kay Burley would be a great coup for us if we got her. Viewers like her and maybe she'd fancy moving back to terrestrial TV."
A spokesperson for GMTV recently insisted that "no decisions" had been made about the show's team.
DS
Penny Smith and John Stapleton have today been tipped as likely casualties in GMTV's forthcoming presenter cull.
According to The Mirror, bosses are planning to start using ITV's Independent Television News (ITN) company for the morning programme's news items, which could leave both Smith and Stapleton without jobs.
At present, the hosts front an hour of news coverage on GMTV from 6am. However, it is thought that the planned shake-up could reduce costs as ITN's newsreaders and newsroom team would be cheaper.
A source commented: "Discussions about this process are already at an advanced stage. It makes sense for ITN to do all the news on GMTV, including bulletins and broadcasts live from breaking stories.
"But if they do that, it would mean big changes to the first hour of GMTV, and that wouldn't be good news for John or Penny. They are both big earners and it may make sense to just use ITN newsreaders and journalists to front the show at a much lower cost."
An ITV spokesman said: "The review at GMTV is still going on, so it is too soon to confirm any details at this stage."
DS
Chloe O'brien
25-01-2010, 11:55
Penny and John are two of the best reporters on GMTV. In fairness it should be the newest members who go first. Last one in first out.
Eamonn Holmes has claimed that it would 'make sense' for GMTV bosses to offer him a new deal as part of the morning show's revamp.
The presenter, who currently works on This Morning and Sky News, was recently tipped to return to the sofa after ITV confirmed that "all areas" of the programme are under review.
Holmes joined GMTV in 1993 and appeared as one of its anchors until 2005, when he bowed out following a rumoured row over pay.
Responding to the recent rumours, the 50-year-old is quoted by the Daily Record as saying: "I can see why it makes sense for them. It went belly up five years ago. I'd be a liar if I said I didn't take a certain amount of satisfaction from being told, 'This station doesn't need you', only to see their audience fall by 25% after I left."
On his future at Sky News, he added: "I'm a gun for hire. I don't decide if I'm here for good. Sky does."
[B] As long as he does not bring Ruth Langford with him :nono: [B]
Eamonn Holmes has claimed that it would 'make sense' for GMTV bosses to offer him a new deal as part of the morning show's revamp.
The presenter, who currently works on This Morning and Sky News, was recently tipped to return to the sofa after ITV confirmed that "all areas" of the programme are under review.
Holmes joined GMTV in 1993 and appeared as one of its anchors until 2005, when he bowed out following a rumoured row over pay.
Responding to the recent rumours, the 50-year-old is quoted by the Daily Record as saying: "I can see why it makes sense for them. It went belly up five years ago. I'd be a liar if I said I didn't take a certain amount of satisfaction from being told, 'This station doesn't need you', only to see their audience fall by 25% after I left."
On his future at Sky News, he added: "I'm a gun for hire. I don't decide if I'm here for good. Sky does."
As long as he does not bring Ruth Langford with him :nono:
VETERAN GMTV host Penny Smith is to leave the show amid budget cuts.
Penny, 51, who has been there for 17 years, will go after the axing of her daily 6am News Hour slot.
Co-host John Stapleton, 64, will start a new role as an on-location correspondent from June.
Penny, who will present a BBC Radio 2 opera show from June, said: "I have taken the plunge and am moving on."
John said: "After 12 years of getting up at 3.45am, I'm looking forward to having a few lie-ins a week."
ITV is cutting costs since taking full control over GMTV after buying Disney's 25 per cent stake in it.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/2877612/ITV-bosses-axe-veteran-GMTV-host-Penny-Smith-amid-budget-cuts.html#ixzz0hBWTWHDS
Chloe O'brien
07-03-2010, 02:01
This is wrong get rid of Andrew Castle and Kate Garraway. Keep Penny and John. They know how to present a show.
GMTV bosses have reportedly started considering the possibility of moving the programme into This Morning's studio.
According to The Mirror, the secret proposal has sparked fresh fears of job cuts as slots on the show which focus on fashion and real-life stories are similar to those broadcast later on This Morning.
A source told the newspaper: "There are genuine fears researchers and producers may find themselves working on both. The cuts just keep coming."
An ITV spokesman confirmed that the broadcaster is currently "reviewing all aspects of the show including studio space", but added that it is "much too early to confirm any plans".
Last week, it was revealed that Penny Smith and John Stapleton are to be axed as main GMTV hosts due to cost-cutting.
Plans to revamp GMTV were first announced in January, when ITV confirmed that "all areas" of the morning show were to be reviewed.
DS
no1abbafan
08-03-2010, 18:12
Why didn't they get rid of Emma Crosby - she is useless - silly voice and trying to act funny. Also want to know if they are cutting costs why employ a guy to give us sports news (such as it is) - more money being spent - all that happens is Emma tries to flirt with him and fails miserably - talking about football when its' obvious she's not that clued uip on it - its cringeworthty to watch. I am not saying women can't talk about football -but watch her and Dan converse and it's embarassing. It's obvious she is reading an autocue or a script.
CITV presenters Anna Williamson and Jamie Rickers have reportedly been axed from their GMTV weekend slots.
The Mirror reports that the pair, who presented Toonatik every weekend morning, were told of their fate shortly before last Saturday's broadcast.
Lorraine Kelly's weekday morning slot has also been cut back as staff are thought to have lost their jobs.
Last week, it emerged that Penny Smith had left the former breakfast franchise after 17 years, with John Stapleton taking a lesser role.
A source from GMTV said: "The cuts keep coming. Everyone is looking over their shoulder. Morale has hit a low."
ITV took full control of the breakfast-time programming slot after purchasing Disney's 25% share.
DS
Eamonn Holmes and Kate Thornton have today been tipped as a new presenting duo for GMTV.
According to the Daily Mail, ITV bosses want the pair to be the morning programme's "new stars" as part of its ongoing revamp, leaving the future of existing hosts like Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard uncertain.
The broadcaster has reportedly made plans to pilot the double act by asking Holmes and Thornton to front This Morning together as a one-off on Friday. Holmes usually hosts Friday's episodes with wife Ruth Langsford, but she is filling in for Lorraine Kelly on GMTV all week.
A source said: "It is quite an imaginative pairing. ITV will be trying them out on Friday."
Holmes was previously a GMTV anchor between 1993 and 2005. As well as presenting This Morning on a part-time basis, he currently fronts Sky News's Sunrise programme.
An ITV spokesperson refused to comment on the report, branding it "speculation".
Ben Shephard has quit GMTV after five years as a host of the breakfast show, according to a report.
The 35-year-old informed bosses of his decision just days before he was due to discover whether he would be axed, the Daily Mail claims.
A GMTV source said: "Ben has resigned, but will stay with us until the end of the summer. Obviously he felt it was untenable to stay and wait to see what was happening with his job.
"It was clear that he felt that he had to jump before he was pushed. Ben is still a face for ITV and I'm sure he will front other shows for them."
Shephard was yesterday tipped to be dropped by GMTV to make way for the arrival of new recruit Adrian Chiles.
Recent reports have claimed that Kate Garraway, Andrew Castle and Emma Crosby could also become casualties of the show's ongoing revamp.
ITV bosses are considering changing the name of ‘GMTV’ as part of a massive revamp of the breakfast show.
The daily programme could be renamed 'ITV Day' later this year, reports The Sun.
The newspaper also claims that more presenters, including Kate Garraway, could face the axe following the news that Penny Smith and Ben Shepherd are leaving.
Other changes being considered include a new studio and the introduction of a live audience for the segment presented by Lorraine Kelly.
A ‘GMTV’ insider said: "ITV is looking at everything to do with ‘GMTV.’
"Now it has taken full control of it, ultimately its main brand is ITV, not ‘GMTV.’ It has previously dropped other iconic brands like Granada."
'The One Show's Adrian Chiles will join ‘GMTV’ as the main presenter after he finishes presenting ITV's World Cup coverage.
ITV executives are considering a complete clear-out of GMTV's current lineup of presenters, a report has claimed.
Anchors Kate Garraway, Andrew Castle and Emma Crosby, reporter Richard Arnold and weathergirl Clare Nasir are all expected to be axed in the summer as part of the programme's major revamp, according to the Daily Mail.
Sources say that the show's newly-appointed editor Ian Rumsey is in favour of the cull, as are ITV's director of television Peter Fincham and the network's daytime controller Alison Sharman.
A GMTV insider commented: "Quite honestly, everyone is running scared. Nobody knows what is happening as they are all waiting for Ian Rumsey to arrive. But it looks like everyone will be going."
It is thought that GMTV will take a break later this year before returning with a new name - expected to be ITV Breakfast or ITV Day. As previously announced, Adrian Chiles will be the main host and is likely to be teamed with a new female co-presenter.
The Daily Mail also claims that GMTV's newsreader Helen Fospero could manage to escape the axe as she is still being considered for an anchor role.
Penny Smith and Ben Shephard have already confirmed that they are to leave the breakfast show.
Emma Bunton has landed a stint on GMTV as a guest host, according to a report.
The former Spice Girl will fill in on Lorraine Kelly's slot for a week when the Scottish host goes away on holiday, The Sun claims.
It is thought that Bunton will be joined by her chef fiancé Jade Jones, who will front cookery segments in the kitchen.
The duo are already being compared to chef Phil Vickery and his wife Fern Britton, who had a similar arrangement when they worked together on This Morning.
A source said: "It is a massive coup getting Emma and Jade. If the chemistry between them is good they could be the next Fern and Phil."
Bunton has also recently signed up to host Five's new talent show Don't Stop Believing.
Chloe O'brien
30-05-2010, 02:10
Since when did Emma's boyfirend become a chef. i thought he was in a boyband.
Penny Smith bid a tearful farewell to the GMTV sofa on Friday, as she left the programme after 17 years.
The star was treated to a video compilation of her most memorable moments, and was serenaded by 90s soul star Curtis Stigers.
The pair sang together on BBC One talent show Just The Two Of Us in 2006.
Smith's departure comes as GMTV begins a radical overhaul, moving to a team of presenters led by former One Show host Adrian Chiles.
Ben Shephard is also leaving, while John Stapleton will leave the confines of the studio to become a roving special correspondent.
Speaking before Friday's show, Smith, 51, said: "It's an ideal time for me to say goodbye to early mornings.
"Now that the format has changed I have taken the plunge and am moving on."
GMTV host Emma Crosby will reportedly be axed from the programme within a matter of days.
The News of the World claims that Crosby is the latest casualty of the long-running breakfast show's ongoing £1.5 million revamp, which will see the programme relaunched under a different name and fronted by Adrian Chiles and his former One Show co-host Christine Bleakley, who signed a deal to host the programme last Sunday.
The decision leaves Kate Garraway's future on the programme in doubt, as she and Crosby held joint discussions on their GMTV roles with ITV bosses last week.
The paper also claims that both Crosby and Garraway were furious that their positions on the programme were being put in jeopardy by the sudden and controversial arrival of Bleakley.
Crosby will be the fourth presenter to leave the programme since August, following the departures of Fiona Phillips, Penny Smith and Ben Shephard. Andrew Castle also confirmed recently that he will be leaving the show in the autumn.
Ben Shephard has hosted his final edition of GMTV.
The presenter decided to leave the show earlier this year after spending a decade on the programme.
Speaking this morning, Shephard paid tribute to the "fantastic people" who have worked on the show.
Shephard's co-host Kate Garraway claimed that it had been an "absolute honour" to share the GMTV sofa with him, while Penny Smith praised his "professionalism, [his] sense of fun, and the fact that [he likes] to strip off down to pants in front of almost anybody".
Fiona Phillips added: "You're just the most decent, lovely guy. You're very talented, you're brilliant at what you do. But as I said, the important thing is that you're just the loveliest person and everyone around here says that. You're going on to brilliant things, and you really deserve it. And I just have to tell you a secret now - that I always thought you secretly fancied me.
"You are wonderful, you're very rare, you're unique and I love you and I'll miss seeing you on GMTV."
Closing the show, Shephard thanked fans for their support, saying: "Thank you so much for inviting me into your houses, into your bedrooms, into your bathrooms, into your kitchens. I will miss you all, I thank you for all the messages. There's lots of things going on and I'm sure I'm going to see you again. But for the time being, let's have a lie in."
Shephard has now signed a deal to host football coverage on Sky Sports.
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