ITV woos Kay
Comic 'offered golden handcuffs deal'
ITV is reportedly trying to poach Peter Kay away from Channel 4 by offering him a lucrative ‘golden-handcuffs’ deal.
Trade website Broadcastnow says the network’s director of television, Simon Shaps, is keen to sign up the comedian to an exclusive deal – and is likely to pay handsomely for the privilege.
And the first thing ITV are said to want him to do is a drama, following his recent Coronation Street cameo and the announcement that he’s to play a villain in the next series of Doctor Who.
However, the network is also desperate to find a comedy hit.
The report quotes an unnamed ITV source saying: ‘ITV is pushing ahead with their attempts to get him and it's true to say he is a star that twinkles brightly in the eyes of Simon Shaps.’
Kay is believed to have one more project left under the terms of his current deal with Channel 4, having completed Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere.Published: 14 Mar 2006
