Two of the most stellar names from the BBC stable, Graham Norton and Martin Shaw, are among the latest talents to fall victim to the credit crunch.
Chat-show host Graham is now fighting to retain his £2.5 milion a year salary after the broadcaster announced plans to cut stars' pay.
In a bid to save around £40 million Beeb bosses are taking steps to cut by up to 25 percent the paycheques of those earning over £100,000. The decision means the Irish funnyman's deal would be cut back to £2 million when his contract comes up for renewal at the end of the year.
Others facing similar cutbacks include Jonathan Ross, Jeremy Paxman and Jeremy Clarkson.
Cost-cutting moves are also behind the axing of Martin Shaw's legal drama Judge John Deed. Speaking on a BBC breakfast show, the dishy 64-year-old actor confirmed the popular legal drama, which pulled in up to nine million viewers, "would not be coming back".
Filming on the show stopped in 2007 to allow Martin to take up other projects. But it had been due to return for a seventh series.
