SIR - I don't know why the BBC is to waste time and money reviewing huge pay deals, like that involving Jonathan Ross, said to have been given a pay deal over three years of £18 million (£115,384 per week), to see if the fees represent value for money.

All they needed to do was ask the viewing public.

But, of course, we all know why they don't do that.

In February, 1997, I wrote to a TV magazine complaining about the BBC paying Carol Smillie £8,000 for each 30-minute midweek Lottery show, which amounted to a staggering £416,000 for just 26 hours work a year.

I asked how the BBC could justify the annual increase in the TV licence yet pay such huge salaries.

Now, of course, Ms Smillie's emolument pales into insignificance compared to that of Mr Ross.

The BBC is an enigma to the licence payer when, without hesitation, it contracts stars at exorbitant costs, yet is willing to let go of long-standing popular programmes like Parkinson and Neighbours, plus top sporting event such as Grand Prix racing and Test Match cricket.

It's time someone reviewed the BBC Trust.

David Rhodes, Croscombe Walk, Bradford