Top Gear star denies pay ultimatum

3:20pm Sunday 6th July 2008

Top Gear presenter James May has not demanded a similar salary to co-host Jeremy Clarkson, his agents said.

Several national newspapers reported that May and his colleague, Richard Hammond, had refused to sign new contracts for the popular BBC2 motoring show because of the wage dispute.

The Daily Mail reported that Clarkson was paid almost £2 million a year by the BBC but his co-hosts earned around £350,000 each.

May's representatives, Arlington Enterprises, confirmed their client's contract was up for renewal at the end of the month but said talks with the corporation were at an early stage.

Spokeswoman Annie Sweetbaum said: "We are not looking for parity with Jeremy but the best deal we can secure for James. But that is never going to be what the BBC first offer. Negotiations have only just started and it is normal for talks to continue for some time before agreement is made."

Hammond's agent was unavailable for comment.

The profiles of May, 45, and Hammond, 38, have increased in recent years with the former branching out in other BBC shows such as Oz And James's Big Wine Adventure, with Oz Clarke. While Hammond gained unwanted notoriety when he nearly died following his high-speed crash at 288mph during filming for Top Gear in September 2006.

It is understood Clarkson, 48, earns considerably more than his fellow presenters because he has a stake in the rights of the series which regular attracts audiences of more than eight million viewers.

The BBC said it could not comment on specific contract negotiations.

Top Gear's irreverent blend of motoring news, stunts and challenges is also broadcast to numerous countries worldwide and a deal was recently struck to produce an Australian version of the show.

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