Jennifer Hawkins could be the first casualty of the Seven Network’s move to slash the salaries of some key on-air staff.
Following the dramatic pay cuts Nine Network dealt its talent roster last week, The Sunday Telegraph has learned Seven is scrutinising the lucrativesalaries of some of its stars, including Hawkins, Jamie Durie and Grant Denyer.
“All contracts are being looked at … and Jennifer’s contract is a global figure, not a local one,” a Seven source said.
Seven is said to be looking to more than halve Hawkins’ current million-dollar salary.
Her contract expires at the end of November.
In the past year, she has fronted the failed reality series Make Me A Supermodel and continued as a presenter on The Great Outdoors.
It is understood Seven has delivered the former Miss Universe several other reality ventures, but none was “a good fit”, according to the source.Denyer, meanwhile, has seen his star fade since leaving Sunrise to concentrate on prime-time formats such as Australia’s Got Talent and It Takes Two.
“He would be facing a pay cut if wanting to stay, which I believe he wants to,” the source said. “There are not too many jobs in television at the moment.”
Denyer’s future at the network – where he’s rumoured to make $250,000 – looks fragile, with strong suggestion Australia’s Got Talent won’t return in 2010.
While successful, Australia’s Got Talent is extremely expensive to produce.
It follows the decision to “rest” It Takes Two this year.
Hawkins and Durie’s manager, Sean Anderson, denied either of his clients was set to leave the network, with a year to run on the garden guru’s $800,000 contract and Hawkins wanting to remain “loyal”.
“I met (Seven CEO) David (Leckie) to start renegotiations and we had a positive meeting,” Anderson said.
A Seven spokesperson would not be drawn on details of the current negotiations.
“It’s appropriate to consider costs going forward … it’s a regular process for any network,” the spokesperson said.
It was reported last week Nine stalwart Kerri-Anne Kennerley was among several station staff set for a pay-cut as Nine CEO David Gyngell sought to swipe $20 million off the network’s current debt.
Kennerley, who generates a lot of revenue for Nine via her show Mornings with Kerri-Anne, drives a hard bargain and is likely to remain on around $500,000 per year.
Other Nine on-air talent given “haircuts” were said to Shelley Craft, Jules Lund, Tracy Grimshaw, Liz Hayes, Catriona Rowntree, Scott Cam and Tara Brown.
source: dailytelegraph.com.au
September 5th, 2009
It’s a standing joke that people can’t tell their Ant from their Dec – but that didn’t make Kate Moss feel any better when she got it spectacularly wrong…
The 35-year-old supermodel was at a posh London restaurant when one of the popular Geordie presenting duo waltzed in.
She began chanting: “Dec, Dec, Dec – I love you, Dec!” Which was a bit unfortunate since it was Declan Donnelly’s taller comedy partner, 33-year-old Ant McPartlin. D’oh!
Looking somewhat mortified, Ant ignored Kate’s caterwauling and escorted his wife Lisa to their table. Later, after a shame-faced Kate realised her error and sent over a note saying sorry, they all laughed off the error. Our spy reveals: “Ant and Lisa were out for a nice, quiet, romantic meal at J. Sheekey’s.
“As they walked in, Ant heard a woman excitedly calling out Dec’s name and beckoning him over.
“She and her pals were jokingly declaring their love.”Ant didn’t want to be rude, but thought it best he carry on to his table, and not embarrass the lady in question. He didn’t look round and had no idea it was Kate.
“Then as he was tucking into his main course, a waiter came over and handed him a note of apology, signed by Kate. It said something like: ‘I am so, sorry. I now realise my mistake. You’re Ant.’ And it had lots of kisses.
“Ant thought it was hysterical and had a real giggle about it. He went over to say hello, telling Kate she was forgiven.”
Ant and Dec, who met on kids TV show Byker Grove and have just published a joint autobiography, Oh What A Lovely Pair, know it’s a common mistake.
Our spy adds: “Kate hadn’t even been drinking. She loves Ant and Dec and religiously watches Britain’s Got Talent. She just got star-struck.”
And Ant was a gent.. he didn’t tell her to get on her Byke!
source: mirror.co.uk
September 5th, 2009
Orlando Bloom had a wide smile on his face as he helped girlfriend Miranda Kerr into his car last night.
And it wasn’t hard to see what was making him so happy.
Australian supermodel Miranda showed off the long limbs which helped her bag an A-list boyfriend in a short pink strapless dress, with matching court shoes.
The 26-year-old has shot down rumours of a marriage ultimatum from her Canterbury-born other-half.
‘What a load of baloney – as if anyone would do that,’ the Sydney Morning Herald quoted her as saying, in response to reports Bloom had threatened to dump her if she didn’t accept his next proposal.
Speculation was also rife that Bloom had turned down the chance to reprise his role as blacksmith Will Turner in the next Pirates of The Caribbean film because he wanted to spend more time with the 26-year-old Victoria’s Secrets model.
But Miranda was quick to refute that allegation too: ‘As if that would ever happen, or as if I would allow that to happen,’ she said.
But surely Bloom could have been forgiven for wanting to spend more time with his stunning girlfriend.
The model, who’s famed for her dimples and often likened to fellow Australian Elle ‘The Body’ MacPherson, currently lives in the Hollywood Hills with Bloom.
source: dailymail.co.uk
September 5th, 2009
