View Full Version : Johnathan Ross quits the Beeb
Johnathan Ross has just announced he has quit the BBC after 13 years
Jonathan Ross has announced he is leaving the BBC, after 13 years working for the corporation.
Ross, 49, who is one of the BBC's highest paid stars, said in a statement he had decided not to renegotiate his contract when it ends in July.
The star added that his decision to leave was not "financially motivated".
In 2008, the controversial host was suspended for making a series of phone calls to actor Andrew Sachs on Russell Brand's Radio 2 show.
One of the biggest stars at the BBC, Ross currently hosts his own Friday night chat show, Radio 2 show and a film review programme.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8445581.stm
i dont think hes ever gonna get as good a deal as he did at the BBC. he had it cuhsty he worked for about 5 hours a week and got paid handsomly for it!
maybe he's got enough money now not to have to work??
I am sure he will pop up on our screens and/or radios again
Aww no! Im going to miss his show
Bet he's negotiated a better deal elsewhere
Bet he's negotiated a better deal elsewhere
obviously.. that is the only reason he is leaving
I certainly don't believe that his decision to leave was not "financially motivated".
JONATHAN Ross was sensationally forced out of the BBC yesterday after bosses refused to renew his megabucks contract.
The controversial star, 49, had offered to halve his £6million-a-year salary.
But Beeb chiefs decided to let him go when his contract expires in July. Yesterday Wossy said at his snowbound North London home: "It's time to move on."
The cause of Ross's departure was almost certainly triggered 15 months ago by the Sachsgate scandal.
The row over the filthy messages left on the phone of Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs sparked another storm over Wossy's incredible pay deal, netting him £18million over three years.
And that in turn led to serious questions about how the Beeb spent licence fee payers' money.
Last night a well-placed source said BBC director general Mark Thompson had become "fed up" with the 49-year-old chat show host.
The source added: "While Jonathan is indeed a talented broadcaster, he has caused all sorts of problems for the BBC.
The Sachsgate thing just brought it all into focus and made Ross a stick to beat the BBC with.
"The feeling from the senior people at the BBC was that having Jonathan on board meant we were always going to get flak."
Floppy-haired Wossy, who presents Film 2010 and a Radio 2 show as well as his Friday Night chat showpiece on telly, knew the way the wind was blowing.
The Sun told last month how he had offered to take a 50 per cent pay cut, dropping his salary to £3million a year.
But Beeb bosses did not go for it. And yesterday Ross conceded defeat and jumped before he was pushed by resigning. His 13-year stint at the corporation will end in July.
In an emotional message to fans, he said: "I feel sad I can't keep making the shows so many of you love."
He added in a statement: "Although I have had a wonderful time working for the BBC, and am very proud of the shows I have made while there, over the last two weeks I have decided not to renegotiate when my current contract comes to an end."
He insisted money was not an issue and said: "I would happily have stayed there for any fee they cared to offer, but there were other considerations."
Later Ross and daughters Honey Kinny and Betty Kitten served hot tea to cold journalists outside his £4million home in North London.
He said: "I'd love to stay and make more shows. I've had a great 13 years with the BBC but it's time to move on. It has been terrific."
Ross, whose production company Hotsauce TV makes the Friday Night show, will continue to host one-off Beeb specials such as the BAFTA film awards and Comic Relief.
BBC execs praised Ross but admitted tough decisions had to be reached.
"It has been a really tough year for Jonathan and his family. He loves broadcasting and it hasn't been an easy decision for him."
Ross's glittering career hurtled off the tracks in October 2008, when he and comic Russell Brand were suspended over Sachsgate.
The showbiz pals left a string of obscene voicemails on the phone of Sachs - potty Spanish waiter Manuel in Fawlty Towers - during Brand's Radio 2 show.
The BBC was flooded with complaints and fined £150,000 by Ofcom. Brand quit and Ross was suspended for three months without pay.
The subsequent furore over his income led to the Tories threatening to force the Beeb to reveal the salaries of its top-earning stars.
Fevered speculation about who would take over Ross's chat show began last night. Graham Norton, DJ Chris Evans and comic Michael McIntyre were the front-runners.
Meanwhile other channels were circling Wossy, with Sky One particularly interested.
His celebrity pals were quick to offer their support last night.
Chris Evans said: "Sad to hear about Wossy. Inevitable in many ways but he'll be back."
And fan Steph Parker wrote online: "Can't believe Wossy is quitting the bbc - I love watching Friday Night."
The Sun
He's not even vacated his chat show chair yet, but the rumours about who will take over Jonathan Ross's Friday night slot have already begun.
The early frontrunner according to bookmakers William Hill is comedian Graham Norton, who's recently re-signed to the BBC in a two-year deal thought to be worth £4million - despite taking a £500,000 pay cut,
Graham - who currently presents his own self-titled quirky comedy chat show on BBC Two - is being listed by Hills as 1/6 to replace Ross in the hotseat.
Not far behind him though is current comedy darling Michael McIntyre at 9/1 and channel Five chat rival Ian Wright at 12/1.
Further down the odds are 14/1 Paul O'Grady, 14/1 Harry Hill, 20/1 Chris Evans, 20/1 Simon Amstell, 25/1 Ricky Gervais, 25/1 Terry Wogan and 25/1 Russell Brand.
However, Jonathan still has a series of Friday Night With Jonathan Ross to complete.
It's due to start in the next few weeks and run until April.
His Radio 2 Saturday morning show and Film 2010 however continue until July.
Mirror
The BBC are keeping quiet about their decision, although they've showcased what the papers say (http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/seealso/2010/01/daily_view_rosss_departure.html).
tammyy2j
08-01-2010, 13:58
maybe he is is going to ITV
Statement in full, from the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8446233.stm)
Although I have had a wonderful time working for the BBC, and am very proud of the shows I have made while there, over the last two weeks I have decided not to re-negotiate when my current contract comes to an end.
While there I have worked with some of the nicest and most talented people in the industry and had the opportunity to interview some of the biggest stars in the world, and am grateful to the BBC for such a marvellous experience.
I would like to make it perfectly clear that no negotiations ever took place and that my decision is not financially motivated. I signed my current contract with the BBC having turned down more lucrative offers from other channels because it was where I wanted to be and - as I have said before - would happily have stayed there for any fee they cared to offer, but there were other considerations.
I love making my Friday night talk show, my Saturday morning radio show and the Film Programme, and will miss them all. I look forward to continuing work on these shows until the summer, and I will continue hosting the Bafta Film Awards, Comic Relief and other BBC specials.
Working at the BBC has been a tremendous privilege, and I would like to thank everyone who has watched and listened so loyally over the last 13 years.
CAMP comic Graham Norton was left humiliated last night after bosses told him he will not be taking over Jonathan Ross's Friday Night talkshow.
Instead Michael McIntyre and Chris Evans are being lined up by the BBC to host shows in the popular post-pub slot.
And "overpaid" Ross - who will not have his £6million-a-year BBC contract renewed when it ends in July - is expected to join Channel 4. Executives are keen for him to front another talkshow.
Comic Graham, 46, had been the front-runner to take over Ross's role at the BBC.
He has been given a new two-year £4million contract to stay until 2012 and his Monday night talkshow has proved a hit since moving from BBC2 to BBC1 last year.
But execs humiliated him yesterday by saying he would not get the Friday Night slot.
One senior insider told The Sun: "Graham is not going to get that show and that is a fact."
Graham is expected to move his show to Fridays, but not until next year.
Until then the Beeb is considering an entertainment programme fronted by McIntyre, 33, whose Comedy Roadshow pulled in six million viewers last year.
The BBC is also keen for Radio 2's Chris Evans, 43, to front a Friday talkshow.
The Sun
Chloe O'brien
14-04-2010, 00:31
This is a desparate plea to all my SB buddies who are likely or who would like to hang around the bbc studios in London over the next couple of days. KIEFER is on the JR show on friday night and I need a signed picture and maybe a lock of hair. That's kiefer's autograph and hair not JR so no one get's confused.
JONATHAN Ross likes to give his guests a good mauling on his chat show - and now they've turned the tables on him.
The chat show host is set to be wrestled and pinned to the sofa by chart toppers the Gorillaz on his show tonight.
And after being tussled, Wossy admits he's feeling "rather sore and bruised".
Enlarge
Wild pack ... the Gorillaz give Wossy what for
Rex
It all starts with his first guest, comic Ross Noble, who tries to swap seats with the host.
Next up is football host Gary Lineker who pretends to throw some punches at the dad-of-three before his grilling.
And then the band, led by former Blur frontman Daman Albarn, pile on top of him, giving Wossy a parting treat.
Wossy is known for larking about with his guests but this latest fracas might be his last as this is the final series he'll host for the BBC.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/2982619/Jonathan-Ross-gets-a-mauling-on-sofa.html#ixzz0obx8PMCw
tammyy2j
30-06-2010, 16:19
David Beckham and Hollywood star Jackie Chan will be the final guests as Jonathan Ross bows out from his BBC1 chat show
Ross will quit his 'Friday Night With ...' series on July 16 as his contract with the BBC ends.
There had been speculation that Russell Brand was in talks to appear on the swansong edition of the long-running programme as he promotes his 'Get Him To The Greek' movie.
The last batch of guests was confirmed today. Beckham's appearance comes in the wake of England's exit from the World Cup, and just days after inaccurate rumours spread that he and wife Victoria were to separate.
The programme will also feature a performance by Roxy Music at the request of the presenter.
The band - featuring original members Bryan Ferry, Andy Mackay, Phil Manzanera and Paul Thompson - are currently playing a series of European festivals including Bestival and Lovebox in the UK.
I have to say, Ive pretty much watched the whole of his last series and it makes me wish I watched it more in the past
GRAHAM Norton will take over from Jonathan Ross as the host of BBC1's flagship Friday night chat show, TV Biz can reveal.
The news ends months of speculation, and comes after Wossy recorded his final show for the Beeb.
'Over the moon' ... Graham Norton
We revealed in January that camp Irishman Graham, 47 - who has a £4million two-year deal with the Beeb - was favourite to get the gig.
And last night a well-placed source said: "Yes, Graham will be the face of Friday nights from October. He's over the moon."
But the insider added: "The show won't be called Friday Night With, it will be very similar to the Graham Norton Show on Monday nights.
"But moving it to a plum spot on Fridays will see him pull in more A-list names."
Jonathan, 49, sat at his desk for the last time yesterday to interview David Beckham and actors Mickey Rourke and Jackie Chan.
His ITV talk show will launch in autumn 2011.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/3054806/GRAHAM-Norton-will-take-over-from-Jonathan-Ross-as-the-host-of-BBC1s-flagship-Friday-night-chat-show-TV-Biz-can-reveal.html#ixzz0thnM14G4
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