Graham Norton's BBC no show

Wednesday, 22 July 2009

Graham Norton has no show to host.

The camp presenter is employed under a £7.5 million contract with the BBC but currently has no programme to front, after his most recent, 'Totally Saturday', was axed.

Making matters worse, Andrew Lloyd Webber has cancelled a talent search to find a lead performer for a musical version of 'The Wizard of Oz', which Graham was also in line to front.

A BBC source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "It has seriously messed us up. That show would have given Graham 12 weeks of work. Now there's nothing."

It is rumoured BBC director Mark Thompson has insisted the star will now have to take a pay cut of up to £2 million when his contract is reviewed at the end of the year.

Graham is said to be "really hurt" by the BBC's treatment and a producer friend said he "absolutely hated" 'Totally Saturday'.

Graham is next set to present his chat show on BBC, which will return in October, and has also presented a pilot show for game show 'Against The Odds'.

Meanwhile the BBC has come under further criticism from former stars of 'Strictly Come Dancing' for replacing the show's judge Arlene Philips, 66, with Alesha Dixon, 30.

Esther Rantzen branded the broadcaster old-fashioned while former 'Emmerdale' and 'Bad Girls' actress Claire King accused the BBC of ageism.

Athlete Roger Black said the show has lost credibility since it dumped experienced choreographer Arlene for the former pop star, who won the series in 2007.