Jonathan Ross is quitting the BBC. The high profile presenter, who currently has his own chat show, film review shot, and radio show with the corporation, has decided to resign from the BBC following a difficult and controversial year, and, despite rumours of facing a pay cut should he have decided to remain, says his decision to leave was “not financially motivated”.
The forty nine year old, who was suspended from the corporation in 2008 following a controversial series of spoof phone calls to actor Andrew Sachs on Russell Brand’s Radio 2 show, told journalists that “It’s probably not a bad time for me to move on – and it’s probably not a bad time for the BBC, either. I’ve got six months. I’m hoping to make the best shows of my career with them.” The fact that Ross’ announcement comes only a day after the BBC signed a two year deal with Graham Norton has led to speculation that the latter will replacing Ross on his Friday evening talk show, but BBC creative director Alan Yentob says it is still “too premature” to decide that. “You don’t need to compare Graham with Jonathan Ross,” he says. “No decisions have been taken with that slot.”
Ross insists that “Although I have had a wonderful time working for the BBC, and am very proud of the shows I have made while there, over the last two weeks I have decided not to renegotiate when my current contract comes to an end… My decision was not financially motivated… It’s time to move on.”
