Jonathan Ross’ agent has announced he won’t be seeking to renegotiate his contract with the BBC. Although Ross claimed his decision was ‘not financially motivated’ this is an important lesson for all senior managers who often accept without question what remuneration consultants tell them: if you pay an employee you value a ridiculous £18 million over three years the employee will no longer need to work having received the equivalent of several lottery wins. For years the BBC operated on the basis of ‘treat them mean, keep them keen’ until the executives realised that remuneration consultants (Towers Perrin et al) would give them, as well as the stars, an excuse for massive pay rises.

Many years ago, when he was still cheap financially rather than with his gags, Canon used to have Jonathan Ross host corporate events. They didn’t think he was talented but loved the way he pronounced ‘Rank Xerox’. He still isn’t talented, but we can agree that Ross and Mark Thompson, misguided Director-general of the BBC, are both ‘Rank’.