Jonathan Ross: It was never about the money

The highest-paid star in the Corporation’s history hinted he is leaving because of the stress of the past year.

His contract had been up for renewal in the summer.

Ross, who turns 50 this year, was last night in a jovial mood as he handed out cups of tea to reporters outside his north London home.

He told them he was going to “make the most” of his last six months at the Beeb.

“He looked relaxed, like he was breathing a sigh of relief,” said one onlooker.

But Ross, who had been suspended by the BBC after making on-air obscene calls with Russell Brand to actor Andrew Sachs, has not said where he is headed next.

“Who knows what is coming up next?” he said. “I think it’s probably not a bad time for me to move on and probably not a bad time for them [the BBC] either.”

Ross was suspended for three months just over a year ago after the gaffe on Radio 2.

The chat show host, whose £18million three-year contract expires in July, had earlier insisted his decision was not about pay.

He said in a statement: “I would like to make it perfectly clear that no negotiations ever took place and that my decision is not financially motivated.

“I signed my current contract with the BBC having turned down more lucrative offers from other channels because it was where I wanted to be and – as I have said before – would happily have stayed there for any fee they cared to offer, but there were other considerations.”

Ross added that he was “grateful to the BBC for such a marvellous experience” and he would “miss” making all his BBC shows.

Later, he told fans on his Twitter page that he was “sorry” he would no longer be able to make the shows they enjoyed.

New Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans empathised with Ross and hinted he would have had to leave the BBC, whether he liked it or not. “Sad to hear about Wossy,” he Tweeted. “Inevitable in many ways but he’ll be back.”

Graham Norton, who has just signed a new deal with the BBC, is already rumoured to be a replacement for Ross’s Friday night chat show.

Jana Bennett, director of BBC Vision, said she could “understand” his decision “following a difficult year”.

She said: “Jonathan Ross has told us that he’s decided not to pursue the renewal of his contract with the BBC. Jonathan is an extremely talented broadcaster. However, it’s been a difficult year for him and I understand why he feels it’s the right thing to do.”

BBC creative director Alan Yentob said the year “with all that scrutiny and attention... has obviously been a tough one for him” and he wanted to “go out with a bang”.

A BBC insider said last night that Ross was not pushed.

“This was Jonathan Ross coming and saying ‘given everything that’s happened over the last year, I think it’s time to take a break.”

He will still host the Bafta Film Awards, Comic Relief and BBC specials. It is thought he wants to make documentaries and animated films.