BBC’s top earning female star poached by rival ITV for brand new Saturday night reality show
BBC star Zoe Ball has landed a huge payday after agreeing to host new brand new show on rival channel ITV.
The Radio 2 presenter, who is the highest-paid woman at the BBC, earning almost £1 million per year, will front new talent show Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream.
The mega money deal will see Zoe’s annual income increase by about £200,000.
But staff at the BBC are not happy with the decision to allow her to work with another broadcaster despite being a full-time employee on the BBC, reports The Mail on Sunday.
One BBC employee told the publication that it was “surprising that Zoe is doing this” and said there is a certain amount of “anger” that the broadcaster let this happen.
It comes after Zoe, 52, took a pay cut of more than £380,000 in 2021, as the BBC slashed its high-profile stars’ wages in a huge savings drive.
She still remains the Corporation’s highest paid female on her £980,000 salary.
The eight-part competition, which will air on Saturday night’s later this year, will see hopefuls compete to become musical theatre super troupers.
The show will launch a nationwide search to find the future musical theatre stars of global smash hit and feel-good musical Mamma Mia!.
It will search for two stars to play the roles of Sophie and Sky in Mamma Mia! in London’s West End, as portrayed by Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper in the two films.
Throughout the series, musical theatre competitors will be put through their paces as they navigate their way through challenges, masterclasses, and performances.
The ITV show will be filmed against the beautiful backdrop of the idyllic Greek islands, where the original Mamma Mia! story is set.
Viewers will see the contestants mentored by guest industry stars through unique workshops and judged by a panel of well-known industry experts in both music and theatre.
The competition will culminate in a live, dazzling grand-finale, broadcast from a theatre in London’s West End, where two winners will take it all and win the roles of Sophie and Sky in the musical.