ITV reportedly paid out “up to £5,000” to the celebrities that appeared on Catchphrase’s charity specials, claims say.
Comedian Jimmy Carr, presenter Jonathan Ross, and Coronation Street actress Catherine Tyldesley were reportedly paid for their appearance on the game show.
The celebrity specials see the contestants go head-to-head in an effort to garner prize money to donate to their chosen charities.
Other celebrities that have reportedly been paid out to appear on the show include Linda Robson, Fay Ripley, and Ellie Simmonds.
Although Jonathan was paid for his appearance, it has been confirmed that he donated his fee to charity, “as he always does for this type of show.”
It is currently unknown whether any other celebs have followed Jonathan’s example.
A TV source told The Sun: “It came as a surprise to find out the celebrities were getting paid when the show appears to be just for charity.
“Obviously they are giving their time for good causes, but viewers probably wouldn’t expect the stars to be paid.”
Another source said that the episodes are for entertainment purposes only, and are not referred to as charity specials or appeals.
An ITV spokesperson told The Sun: “We never discuss artist contracts.”
ITV told Express.co.uk: “Catchphrase celebrity specials are entertainment shows. They are not called, nor are they positioned as, charity specials or charity appeals.
“For the celebrity specials, the production teams approach celebrities to appear to be part of these entertainment shows, in which they can win significant sums of money for a charity of their choice.
“The non celebrity version of Catchphrase offers members of the public the opportunity to play, and win money for themselves.”
Express.co.uk has contacted the individual celebrities about this claim.
The game show’s original run began in the eighties and maintained almost twenty-years on TV.
In that time the show was presented by Roy Walker, Nick Weir, and Mark Curry.
The show was cancelled in 2004, disappointing long time fans.
Catchphrase saw a revival in 2013 with the addition of presenter Stephen Mulhern and now regularly holds celebrity specials.
Catchphrase airs Sunday at 3.45pm on ITV.
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