BBC and ITV in ‘bitter battle’ over Beeb poaching top stars from rival broadcaster

BBC and ITV are said to be locked in a “bitter battle” over the Beeb poaching top stars from its commercial rival.

The broadcasters are at loggerheads after Joel Dommett, the host of ITV’s The Masked Singer and I’m a Celebrity… runner up, landed a high-profile role on the corporation’s new adventure series Survivor.

The BBC has also recently handed work to Alison Hammond, a presenter on ITV’s This Morning, Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden and Rochelle Humes, the host of Ninja Warrior.

Bradley Walsh, the frontman for The Chase, and his son, Barney, have also been hired by the BBC to front the reboot of Gladiators.

Bosses at ITV now fear executives at the BBC will attempt to woo more stars after Holly Willoughby was invited to be the corporation’s guest of honour at an awards ceremony last year.

A source at the broadcaster told the Mail on Sunday: “It’s getting ridiculous now. Spot the talent, nurture the talent and then the BBC swan in and take them.

“There is a view amongst the executives here that they love the fact ITV’s stars are so relatable. When will they find their own, and when will they stop?”

It is unclear if the stars are paid more by the BBC but insiders have claimed they like working across both channels and like the prestige that comes with working for the BBC.

However, BBC sources are said to have rebutted the claims, saying that ITV has in the past poached its stars with the lure of higher wages.

In recent years, Susanna Reid left BBC Breakfast to move to ITV’s Good Morning Britain, while Adrian Chiles and Christine Lampard defected from The One Show to go and work for ITV.

Dommett beat Holly Willoughby to host game show Survivor which the BBC describes as “a test of brains, brawn and betrayal”.

The BBC declined to comment when approached by The Celeb Report Online.

ITV has been contacted for a comment.