GMTV hosts face the axe

Two high-profile presenters will reportedly lose their jobs after...

11:55 07 January 2010

Two GMTV presenters are set to face the axe in a cost-cutting spree by ITV, it has been reported.

The Daily Mirror wrote that the broadcaster is looking to drop a minimum of one male and one female anchor as part of the review of its budget.

ITV hopes to cut 20% of the flagship breakfast show's expenses in a move that has made Andrew Castle, 46, John Stapleton, 63, Kate Garraway, 42, Ben Shephard, 35, and Penny Smith, 51, "anxious beyond belief".

An insider for the paper claimed the stars were "desperate" and that "everyone is absolutely dreading the results of the review."

The source went on to state that: "There will very likely be some big-name casualties."

However, the insider told the Mirror that Emma Crosby, 32, is expected to be sure to stay.

Crosby joined the breakfast show in 2009 after Fiona Phillips resigned. She went on to win a new contract by the show's bosses in December, boosting her £130,000 a year salary to £160,000.

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."

ITV gained full control of GMTV after buying Disney's 25% stake for £22.2million in November, prompting the insiders to believe that the channel is looking to recoup those costs.

The station has confirmed that "all areas" were being reviewed.

The presenter's salaries are schedules are listed below:

• Kate Garraway, 42. Salary: £200k On air: Mon-Wed
• Andrew Castle, 46. Salary: £200k On air: Wed-Fri
• Ben Shephard, 35. Salary: £200k On air: Mon-Wed
• Penny Smith, 51. Salary: £175k On air: Mon-Fri
• John Stapleton, 63. Salary: £220k On air: Mon-Fri