GMTV Cost Cutting

At least two of GMTV’s star presenters are set to lose their jobs in a cost-cutting bloodbath.

ITV wants to axe a minimum of one male and one female anchor as part of the review.

The broadcaster is looking to slash costs by 20% on the flagship breakfast show.

Andrew Castle, 46, John Stapleton, 63, Kate Garraway, 42, Ben Shephard, 35, and Penny Smith, 51, are said to be “anxious beyond belief”.

An insider said the stars were “desperate” for bosses to guarantee their place on the sofa.


The source added: “Everyone is absolutely dreading the results of the review.

“There will very likely be some big-name casualties.”

But insiders told the Mirror that Emma Crosby, 32, is expected to survive the cull.

Crosby – who joined GMTV a year ago after Fiona Phillips resigned – was handed a new contract by the show’s bosses in December. Her £130,000 a year salary has also been increased to £160,000.

Another source said: “Emma has been everything we had hoped for and more.

“She is a natural in front of the camera and comes from a hard news background which only adds to her appeal. The new deal is a reflection of how highly we value her and want to keep her on the show as well as our viewers who have given her great feedback.”

Advertisement - article continues below »

One insider said: “Emma’s new contract is a good sign of how highly she’s rated but everyone is still at risk.

“ITV have carte blanche to rip up contracts as they see fit. The review is well under way and this cull is one of the recommendations.”

Some believe that Shephard is a favourite to survive.

A source said: “Ben is revered and is very unlikely to leave.

“He is a massive face on the channel as a whole and is loved by all the staff.”

Salaries are impressive on the show with Stapleton thought to be on £220,000, Garraway, Castle and Shephard on £200,000 and Smith on £175,000.

ITV took full control of GMTV after buying Disney’s 25% stake in the broadcaster for £22.2million in November.

And the company is looking to start recouping some of that money with these cuts.

Staff say the presenters only realised they might be under threat when the show’s editor of 10 years, Martin Frizell, was axed last month.

A source added: “Everything changed at that moment and we knew ITV meant business.

“Martin was highly regarded and nobody thought he would go. He was the heartbeat of the show and untouchable.”

ITV confirmed that “all areas” were being reviewed.

Credit: Mirror