top gear team to split up??

[Richf]

Top Gear's James May and Richard Hammond 'turned down' BBC offer | Media | guardian.co.uk


Top Gear stars James May and Richard Hammond have not yet signed new contracts despite their agreements expiring at the end of the month – leading to fears they may leave the show.

Internally at the BBC there are fears that "there could be a break up of the team, it has got that bad" according to one source familiar with the negotiations, MediaGuardian.co.uk can reveal.

Negotiations stalled after the pair "turned down flat" the first offer from the BBC and have argued for a TV contract that gives them a salary more in line with the pay packet of co-host Jeremy Clarkson, according to the source.

"Internally there is talk that there might be a chance for the first time that there could be a break up of the team, it has got that bad," said the source.

He claimed: "There has been a lot of pulling out of hair, a Mexican stand-off. For the first time it is possible that one or both might leave."

"They don't want to accept second status anymore," said the source. "There has been a meltdown in negotiations."

It is understood that the new deal Clarkson signed last month gives him a return on some of the commercial activities of the Top Gear franchise.

In June he struck a lucrative deal with BBC Worldwide to promote BBC2 hit Top Gear around the world, in return for a profit-related fee.

The show is a success abroad, with the US and Australia making their own versions.

According to a source familiar with the situation, the "recalibration" of Clarkson's Top Gear deal is a significant extra bonus and gives more leverage to Hammond and May's agents to argue for more money.

While the pair claim that they deserve pay commensurate with their star status, it is understood the BBC has argued that Top Gear is the pair's "power base" for popularity.

Without a Top Gear deal, the BBC argues that Hammond and May's wider media profiles could be damaged.

Hammond has built up his popularity immensely since his brush with death in a high-speed crash for Top Gear last year.

May has also built up a following with his on-screen partnership with wine expert Oz Clarke in BBC2 show Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "We never comment on contract negotiations."

The corporation is in a difficult position following a recent review by the BBC Trust of the pay of its top talent.

The report acknowledged the greater competition for entertainment talent, with chairman Sir Michael Lyons saying: "The value of great entertainers, comedians, actors, presenters, journalists and interviewers is rightly very high and the BBC has a special responsibility because of its funding to help develop the UK's talent base for the benefit of the industry as a whole."

But he added: "The BBC has to be prepared to walk away from deals that do not offer good value."

Such is the popularity of Top Gear, there are claims that if the BBC had not signed the lucrative deal with Clarkson, media mogul Simon Fuller was interested in talking to him about projects.

Top Gear hit the headlines earlier this week after the BBC Trust criticised the show's Polar Special for showing Clarkson and May drinking gin and tonics while driving near the North Pole.

According to Mail Online yesterday, May responded to the decision by saying: "When I saw the ruling, I thought, 'You can sod off'.

[Squeak]

they just want the best salary they can.. scare tactics and all that

[Spearmint]

Originally Posted by BBC Bloke

But he added: "The BBC has to be prepared to walk away from deals that do not offer good value."

How much did they pay that Wosser Jonathon Ross again?

[Moff]

They won't leave, just a bid for money.. I hope...

[Andy Kain]

They have done it as a PR stunt, Hammond leaving has been on the cards for a year or so, thats why they made a big deal of the new mystery presenter (stunt man guy) just to get people going.

However if they do decide to leave then it will loose 2/3rds of what I watch the show for, so I would be disappointed, but I can understand their frustration as in the first episode this season the first 3 spots were of Clarkson, no sign of the others.

[Trev]

Lose May, lose Hampster - LOSE my viewing.

The banter between the three of them keeps me tuned every week.

[KRISS]

the BBC should just pay up, they get a couple of BILLION a year of the license payers, and given the popularity of the show the spend would be justified, a lot cheaper than some £20m costume drama remake of sense and sensability watched by 45 people

[Spearmint]

Just heard that May's agent stated he had said nothing of a sought.

[Squeak]

Thats what you get for Newspaper's news

[one hung lo]

The team that they have now is the best ever in my opinion. Years ago it was a bit of a stuffy old program, but now it is just a great entertainment show from the magnificent three

[Honey]

I agree with Ritchie, May's agent have not demanded a similar salary to Clarkson.

Top Gear star denies pay ultimatum - Celebrity news, A-List Stars, latest gossip, celebrities, Britney Spears, Amy Winehouse, Pete Doherty | MSN Celebrity UK | MSN Entertainment | MSN UK



All made up by some reporter somewhere to make a headline.