Mastermind? It’s just money for old rope, says John Humphrys

John Humphrys reignites row over BBC wages with unguarded comments

John Humphrys has reignited the row over bumper BBC salaries by admitting that his job as Mastermind presenter is "money for old rope".

Humphrys, 66, began presenting the BBC2 quiz show when it returned to TV screens in 2003, and revealed that he was well-paid for what he regards as a simple task.

Speaking last night at a corporate dinner, for which he is thought to have been paid about £10,000, Humphrys recalled being offered the chance to succeed Magnus Magnusson as Mastermind
host. "Money for old rope, I thought. I was right as well," he said.

The vast salaries paid by the BBC to some of its key figures, from Jonathan Ross to director-general Mark Thompson, remain a source of debate, with the Tories today pledging to limit executives to the £192,250 earned by the Prime
Minister.

Humphrys, the veteran presenter of Radio 4's Today programme and regarded as Britain's fiercest radio interviewer, used his speech to make references to the size of former Prime Minister Tony Blair's penis and to mock celebrities who had appeared on Mastermind to raise money for charity.

He told the rail industry awards dinner at the Grosvenor House hotel how he had bumped into Mr Blair in the lavatories at the Today studios, shortly after a claim by Cherie Blair that her husband was so "fit" that they had sex five times
a night.

Humphrys said he stood beside Mr Blair at the urinals. "I said, I have just been reading about you'. Then I said, I'm surprised you can stand quite so close to the urinal'."

Humphrys said the style adopted by Gordon Brown during interviews was "incredibly tedious" because of the Prime Minister's insistence on making a number of points. "Fun it isn't," Humphrys said.

Speaking to about 700 people, including Transport Minister Chris Mole and Labour MP Tom Harris, Humphrys ridiculed an unnamed "soap star" and a politician for their wrong answers while appearing on celebrity editions of Mastermind.

The soap star, believed to be former EastEnders actor Paul Bradley, who now appears in Holby City, was asked which cereal he would associate
with being in prison. Bradley replied: "Cheerios."

Humphrys was censured in 2005 for "inappropriate language" at a speech in which he ridiculed Labour politicians and said it was the BBC's job to "take on" the government.

Mr Thompson said the remarks risked calling into question the BBC's impartiality. Humphrys praised
the rail industry for its "incredible safety record" but criticised it for failing to prioritise the needs of passengers.

One VIP guest at the dinner said: "In my opinion, Rob Brydon was better the last time I was here. Less intellectual arrogance."

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