Radio 2 in the Park 2024

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Exclusive By Pete Samson, Mirror.co.uk

RADIO 1 star Chris Moyles is getting £75,000 on top of his massive salary - just for playing his own jingles. Chris, 32, picks up £630,000 a year - but has a staggering deal in which the Beeb pays out £15 each time he airs a ditty he wrote.

And the motormouth DJ makes sure his short tunes hit the big notes - as he broadcast them 5,000 times in the past year alone.

One jingle brazenly brags: "Chris Moyles on Radio 1/He ain't good-looking but hey, he's rich." But last night his money-spinning contract was sparking fury among MPs and watchdogs.

John Whittingdale, head of the Commons Culture select committee, blasted: "The BBC is already paying him a hefty salary and he is able to earn even more at the touch of a button.

"There seems to be a clear conflict of interests here and it seems completely inappropriate."

Mediawatch chief John Beyer also branded it a conflict of interest and added: "BBC governors should investigate this matter with immediate effect.

"Mr Moyles has control over how many jingles he plays on his show and therefore determines how much extra he will be paid each day - with no one regulating him.

"Governors must satisfy themselves no malpractice is taking place, which is only right and proper on behalf of licence payers."

Chris composes the quirky clips for his 7am-10am show with specialist firm Music 4. The Performing Right Society - which distributes performance royalties to composers - charges the BBC £15 a time and passes it on to him.

One listener claimed he played his jingles 10 times in just one hour last week. And the Daily Mirror heard them used 19 times during his three-hour show. It is not the first time Beeb chiefs have come under fire over stars' earnings.

There was an outcry when it emerged Jonathan Ross was on an £18million deal and Little Britain pair David Walliams and Matt Lucas had been handed £6million.

Yesterday, the BBC insisted the DJ had done nothing wrong.

A Radio 1 spokesman said: "He writes jingles and receives payment when they are played. This is completely legitimate.

"But we refute any suggestion that he is playing them more frequently."

And a governors' spokeswoman added: "Chris Moyles would be subject to editorial guidelines, which he would have to adhere to."

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_headline=chris-taker-&method=full&objectid=18266722&siteid=94762-name_page.html

[Geezer7348]

That is absolutely ridiculous, Moyles is overpaid and an extra £75k is insulting. No way on earth does anybody deserve to earn nearly £700k P/A for pressing a few buttons.

[adrian64]

I think Chris Moyles does a fantastic job but 700k a year is over the top.

[Geezer7348]

I think Chris Moyles does a fantastic job but 700k a year is over the top.

I'm sure anybody would do a fantastic job if they too were payed £700k a year....

[Jono]

Haha brilliant. Good on him I say. Does Scott get money for his jingles?

[adrian64]

Haha brilliant. Good on him I say. Does Scott get money for his jingles?

Probably:-)

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Haha brilliant. Good on him I say. Does Scott get money for his jingles?

Thats a good questions, wonder if we can get an answer?

[Kelly]

I say good on the man! He writes them, he should be paid like any other artist!

[Jono]

Saves the budget being spent on poor Doctor Who spin offs...

[Kelly]

:bah: :bah: and again :bah:

[goldengirl]

Haha brilliant. Good on him I say. Does Scott get money for his jingles?

Does Scott have jingles?

[Jono]

He does when he covers for Moyles. But then again Moyles writes them (or so we're led to believe)

[goldengirl]

Ahhh Chappers ..... "big sausage sandwich" ones. Yeah I thought Chris wrote those ones.

I think it is a bit of a con to be honest but then good for him too, we all know we would if we could £700k a year? He must be doing something right?

[sebdevlin]

It was in the holy moly mailout about a month ago nice to see the mirror bang up to date with the news. A slight conflict of interest maybe but fair play to him