Jonathan Ross quits BBC

TV presenter Jonathan Ross has decided not to renew his contract with the BBC

TV presenter Jonathan Ross has quit the BBC. The TV corporation’s highest paid star announced today that he is leaving after 13 years. Ross announced in a statement that he will quit his BBC1 talk show, his Radio 2 Saturday morning show and his film review show when his contract ends in July, but he will continue to host the Baftas and other specials. The statement read, ‘Over the last two weeks I have decided not to renegotiate my current contract when it comes to an end. I would like to make it perfectly clear that no negotiations ever took place and my decision is not financially motivated.”

Ross has been plagued with controversy recently over both his pay deal and the Sachsgate scandal, when he and comedian Russell Brand left abusive messages on Andrew Sachs' answer machine. At 11:20am today Ross posted on his Twitter saying, "Hello again. Thanks for all the kind words about my decision. I feel sad that I can't keep making the shows so many of you love!"

Jana Bennett, director, BBC Vision, said in a statement that she "understood" Ross' decision to leave. "Jonathan is an extremely talented broadcaster and his programmes for BBC TV and radio have been a great success," she said. "However, it's been a difficult year for him and I understand why he feels it's the right thing to do."

Graham Norton is hotly tipped to takeover Ross' Friday Night With Jonathan Ross chat show slot, as it was announced yesterday that Norton had taken a pay cut to sign a two-year contract with the BBC.

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