Raking it in: Clarkson's payout
2012-10-11 10:56
ONE OF THE HIGHEST PAID STARS: Jeremy Clarkson ranks amongst the BBC's highest paid stars and will now earn a talent fee of R6.9m until 2015.
Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson received a R44m payout from the production company he started before selling his stake to BBC Worldwide.
According to the Daily Mail, Clarkson was also paid up to R209m from the sale of his 30% in Bedder 6.
The company was a joint project with the BBC, which has now taken full control of the 50% that was split between Clarkson and Top Gear producer Andy Wilman. Bedder 6 was set up in 2007 with the intention of exploiting Top Gear's global brand.
'BETTER SEX' COMPANY
Bedder 6 has had massive success off Top Gear’s merchandise, show tours and international sales rights.
Clarkson was paid a talent fee of R6.3m, an increase of 30% compared to his R4.8m fee in 2011, reports the Daily Telegraph.
Clarkson has signed a lucrative new deal to continue presenting the hit motoring show until 2015 alongside Richard Hammond and James May. He is likely to be paid a fixed annual fee of R6.9m.
A spokesman for BBC Worldwide said: "BBC Worldwide has agreed new commercial deals with Jeremy, James, Richard and Andy to secure Top Gear’s international future for another three years.
The name Bedder 6 is believed to be a play of the words "better sex" - a reference to an in-joke about one of the dormitories at Wilman and Clarkson's former school.
