http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-439875/Wogan-celeb-paid-Children-In-Need.html
He has hosted the BBC's Children In Need appeal for 26 years, helping to raise hundreds of millions of pounds for good causes.
But Sir Terry Wogan is now at the centre of controversy over the fact that he is the only celebrity to be paid for his part in the appeal.
Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act disclose that while his co-presenters give their time for free, 68-year-old Sir Terry receives £1,300 an hour to front the charity television extravaganza.
Sir Terry has been paid for his efforts since the appeal - described by the BBC as the most important event on its calendar - began in 1980.
In 2005, the Irishman - who earns £800,000 a year from his Radio 2 show - picked up £9,065 for his seven-hour stint as Children In Need's main presenter.
Yet his co-stars Natasha Kaplinsky, Eamonn Holmes and Fearne Cotton do not receive a penny. All the musical acts that appear also waive appearance fees.
There is no suggestion that Sir Terry, who owns a mansion near Windsor and a house in France, receives any money intended for charity projects, nor that he has ever claimed to be hosting the show for free.
In the past, Sir Terry has made a show of donating personal items, such as his tie, to highest bidders.
Other presenters and celebrities are thought to be unaware of his deal with the Corporation.
Bucks Fizz singer Cheryl Baker, who has helped to present Children In Need and Eurovision Song Contest shows alongside Sir Terry, said last night: "Sir Terry has done amazing work for the charity. I am very surprised to hear he takes money for presenting and I think a lot of his fans will be as well. He is a bit of fool to have taken this money.
"You would think someone in his position wouldn't need it."
Details of his pay emerged after a series of enquiries made under the Freedom of Information Act.
The BBC refused to divulge the information but, after an appeal, the Information Commission watchdog ruled it should provide the answers.
They revealed that the costs of staging the event in 2005 were more than £1.2million - covering the use of studios, outside broadcast facilities, staff, production and making films used to promote the appeal.
In a letter, the Corporation said: "The BBC paid Sir Terry a presenter payment of £9,065. Sir Terry Wogan has presented Children In Need every year since 1980. The BBC considered it appropriate to pay Sir Terry a non-commercial fee.
"The BBC has made an adjustment to this fee every year to reflect inflation. This fee has never been subject to negotiation. It is paid by the BBC and does not come from the funds of the BBC Children In Need Appeal Charity.
"No other BBC presenters or personalities were paid."
Terry Wogan said: "I've never asked for a fee and would quite happily do it for nothing."
And his spokesman said the fee was entirely at the discretion of the BBC, adding: "It has never been open to negotiation."
A BBC spokesman said: "When Sir Terry first presented Children In Need in 1980, it was decided as part of his contract to pay him what, compared to the commercial cost of a presenter like him, is a nominal fee.
"The fee has continued since and has never been negotiated. We regard it as an honorarium to Sir Terry. We are not ashamed to pay him it and see no reason why it should not continue.
"If it wasn't for Sir Terry, Children In Need would not be what it is today."
Just read this and was wondering if he got sick pay?
He has hosted the BBC's Children In Need appeal for 26 years, helping to raise hundreds of millions of pounds for good causes.
But Sir Terry Wogan is now at the centre of controversy over the fact that he is the only celebrity to be paid for his part in the appeal.
Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act disclose that while his co-presenters give their time for free, 68-year-old Sir Terry receives £1,300 an hour to front the charity television extravaganza.
Sir Terry has been paid for his efforts since the appeal - described by the BBC as the most important event on its calendar - began in 1980.
In 2005, the Irishman - who earns £800,000 a year from his Radio 2 show - picked up £9,065 for his seven-hour stint as Children In Need's main presenter.
Yet his co-stars Natasha Kaplinsky, Eamonn Holmes and Fearne Cotton do not receive a penny. All the musical acts that appear also waive appearance fees.
There is no suggestion that Sir Terry, who owns a mansion near Windsor and a house in France, receives any money intended for charity projects, nor that he has ever claimed to be hosting the show for free.
In the past, Sir Terry has made a show of donating personal items, such as his tie, to highest bidders.
Other presenters and celebrities are thought to be unaware of his deal with the Corporation.
Bucks Fizz singer Cheryl Baker, who has helped to present Children In Need and Eurovision Song Contest shows alongside Sir Terry, said last night: "Sir Terry has done amazing work for the charity. I am very surprised to hear he takes money for presenting and I think a lot of his fans will be as well. He is a bit of fool to have taken this money.
"You would think someone in his position wouldn't need it."
Details of his pay emerged after a series of enquiries made under the Freedom of Information Act.
The BBC refused to divulge the information but, after an appeal, the Information Commission watchdog ruled it should provide the answers.
They revealed that the costs of staging the event in 2005 were more than £1.2million - covering the use of studios, outside broadcast facilities, staff, production and making films used to promote the appeal.
In a letter, the Corporation said: "The BBC paid Sir Terry a presenter payment of £9,065. Sir Terry Wogan has presented Children In Need every year since 1980. The BBC considered it appropriate to pay Sir Terry a non-commercial fee.
"The BBC has made an adjustment to this fee every year to reflect inflation. This fee has never been subject to negotiation. It is paid by the BBC and does not come from the funds of the BBC Children In Need Appeal Charity.
"No other BBC presenters or personalities were paid."
Terry Wogan said: "I've never asked for a fee and would quite happily do it for nothing."
And his spokesman said the fee was entirely at the discretion of the BBC, adding: "It has never been open to negotiation."
A BBC spokesman said: "When Sir Terry first presented Children In Need in 1980, it was decided as part of his contract to pay him what, compared to the commercial cost of a presenter like him, is a nominal fee.
"The fee has continued since and has never been negotiated. We regard it as an honorarium to Sir Terry. We are not ashamed to pay him it and see no reason why it should not continue.
"If it wasn't for Sir Terry, Children In Need would not be what it is today."
Just read this and was wondering if he got sick pay?