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Tom Arnold in dispute over $A540,000 TV fee

Comedian claims he has been paid $A355,000 for I'm a Celebrity and a promised comedy tour is off.

Tom Arnold is reportedly in dispute with Network TEN over his agreed salary on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, believing he is owed more money.

Showbiz reporter Peter Ford told 3AW and KIIS FM radio that Arnold agreed to a $US410,000 ($AU540,000) salary and subsequent comedy tour of Australia.

He claims he has been paid $US270,000 ($AU355,000) while the comedy tour will not proceed.

The difference in the amount centres around the fact Arnold was the first celebrity booted from the show, but he maintains he agreed to the amount regardless of his length of stay.

Contracts between Arnold’s representatives and TEN’s Senior Litigation Counsel, Tasha Smithies were leaked to Ford.

In a statement, Network TEN General Counsel, Stuart Thomas said: “Network TEN will not discuss the terms of a confidential agreement that was signed by Tom Arnold after legal and PR advice was provided to him, but we can confirm that TEN does not owe him any money under our agreement with him and we have made all payments owing to him.

“Any suggestion that TEN has not acted in good faith is unfounded and misleading. Tom Arnold’s only agreement with TEN was for his appearance in I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!.

“TEN understands that Tom Arnold’s agent and lawyer were exploring a tour option for him, however, due to his performance in the jungle, the tour operator declined to proceed with the tour.”

TEN is said to be furious over Arnold previously tweeting a salary figure, which proved to be higher than the reality. Undisclosed numbers can be considered a breach of contract.

Public knowledge on celebrity salaries, such as that revealed today, also severely diminishes a network’s negotiating power in future projects.

Peter Ford told TV Tonight, “All documents were leaked to me and I never reveal a source but there are people connected with the show who feel Tom was not treated appropriately after he left the show. I imagine Tom feels the same way.”

Australian stars are reported to earn around $30,000 a week for their duration on the show.

15 Responses

  1. I can’t imagine at all that Channel 10 and ITV who produces the show would not have this clear in his contract.

    Tom’s apparent understanding of the deal does go some way to explain his lack of activity on the show.

  2. Lol. Any amount is too much. Who the hell in Australia even knows who Tom Arnold is? I’ve only known of him due to a guest appearance on The Simpsons nearly 17 years ago, and whatever little star power that he has had since then has fast fizzled.

  3. Regardless of whether he was good value, for what he was contracted for, but a contract is a contract and should be honoured regardless. If anything the casting director should be wearing the costs of any perceived bad value.
    $0.02

  4. Ten paid major overs for the bloke. I can not think of a worse celebrity who has ever been on the show.

    Steve Price is of a similar age but he doesn’t act like the other (younger) celebrities are beneath him. He takes part in conversations, challenges and brings a unique perspective on the celebrities through Jungle Radio.

    In fact, only knowing Price through The Project, he has actually grown on me. While I don’t agree with many of his opinions, he is a warm and professional interviewer.

  5. Surely Tom should be appreciated a lot more than he has. Getting paid maximum $$$$ fo minimum effort is a great achievement in any career. Well done Tom for getting at least $355,000 for sitting and sleeping in a jungle camp for 2 weeks. How many of us would like that?????

  6. ” there are people connected with the show who feel Tom was not treated appropriately after he left the show”, Really? Did they watch the show?

  7. He made no attempt to be entertaining. He just ‘phoned in’ his appearance. Slept all day I bet he was glad he got kicked out first. Not worth it!

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