Channel 4 set to slash celebrity guest fees and introduce a £2,000 pay cap’

Channel 4 are reportedly planning to slash the appearance fees paid to celebrity guests. 

It is said that in a bid to save money in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, shows could see the amount of money paid to famous guests could be drastically decreased.

It’s also been reported that the broadcaster will introduce a £2,000 per episode cap for stars appearing on shows including 8 out of 10 cats does Countdown, after a channel boss claimed fees were ‘out of control’.

A source told The Sun: ‘Channel 4 are on a huge cost-cutting drive as the pandemic has hit them hard and it’s been decided that celebrity fees are for the chop.

‘Meetings were held last week and a cap of around £2000 per episode for guests on entertainment shows was put forward.

At present, production on several shows has been suspended amid the pandemic, but the insider added that went lockdown ends and filming resumes, the cap is ‘expected to be put into place.’  

The publication stated that Head of Commissioning Management for Channel Emma Hardy said that ‘fees have got out of control’.

With the source adding: ‘Lots of meetings have been held but capping the fees was Emma’s idea. She said pay for celebs were ‘out of control’ and called for all guests on the shows to be paid the same. It’s been well received and is a good way of keeping costs down as they go into a tough next few months.’

It’s said that comics including Katherine Ryan and Frankie Boyle could demand between £5,000 to £8000 for a day of filming.

However, the new ‘level playing field’ will not only save the broadcaster money, but will also potentially put stars’ ‘noses out of joint’.

MailOnline have contacted representatives of Channel 4 for comment.

While a spokesperson told The Sun: ‘A spokeswoman for Channel 4 said: ‘Channel 4 has announced a £150m reduction to its content budget as part of its financial response to the Covid-19 crisis, which means some shows will be commissioned at lower tariffs.

‘There is an approval process in place for talent fees, which are agreed on an individual basis as usual.’