Ross, 52, was on the ITV show to talk about the latest series of Extreme Worlds when talk turned to the story dominating the headlines.
Piers, also 52, asked him: “You were of course one of the highest paid stars at the BBC – quite rightly – for your portrayal of Grant Mitchell. On soap operas I presume the big stars get big money, lesser stars get less.
“Was there parity between the female and male stars who were at the same level?”
The ex-soap star hit back at the question: “We didn’t have T-shirts with our salaries on but I would guess there would have been parity between male and female but I don’t know.
“When you go to drama school, for instance, they will generally cast more men in a class than they will women because comparatively there are more male roles out there than there are female roles.”
The presenter went on to ask: “Is that where the change should be taking place?”
Ross replied: “I think we’re changing. If you look at management in television, there are a lot more women I believe than there are men.
He added: “I think there should be parity. I don’t think your sex should determine whether you get more than anyone else. It should be your ability to do the job and your popularity with the audience.”
As the exchange grew more awkward as Piers continued to grill him, posing the question: “You’ve worked at the BBC, of you think it’s going to cause mayhem with these figures?”
The actor and investigative journalist explained: “I think there will be some people who will be very unhappy, it’s understandable. You have to look at the agenda, is it a government agenda to rock the BBC ship.”
The interview comes as the pays of top earners at the BBC will be revealed today as the broadcaster comes under fire that just a third of the most highly paid talent are women and 100 staff members take home more than the prime minister.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV at 6am.
Daily Express :: TV and Radio Feed
