TOWIE 'fame tax' anger

Producers will reportedly take a cut of stars' earnings...

10:07 18 April 2012

The stars of The Only Way Is Essex are reportedly furious at the 'fame tax' placed on their earnings by the showÂ’s producers.

The cast are paid just £80 each day for filming the hit show by the producers, but now they will be forced to hand over part of their earnings made away from the show as well.

The producers have reportedly demanded a cut of 15 per cent of all the castÂ’s earnings for up to four months after the series ends. They had originally wanted six months, reports The Sun.

The cast have been told that they must sign a contract with the so-called 'fame tax' clause if they wish to appear on the programme.

A show insider told the newspaper:

"A lot of the stars were furious and threatened a walkout which would have sent the show into chaos. Many went to seek legal advice."

Cast members are said to make most of their earnings from other personal appearances and magazine deals to top up the £50 a day they used to be paid.

Stars Joey Essex and Lauren Goodger were among the showÂ’s stars who refused to sign a contract last year, but now producers are giving them no choice if they want to be on the programme.