[Neil Jones]

I believe most TV presenters are effectively self-employed (quite a few radio presenters are as well), so if they don't work, they don't get paid.  The pay is quite high compared to more regular jobs because it is more stressful, longer hours and generally knackering (it was either Ant or Dec who said hosting a 2.5hr live final for BGT was exhausting on its own on an episode of BGMT).

That’s not really the reason they get paid the amounts they do though. The big TV and radio stars are getting paid the big money because they have a unique asset in themselves that can bring in the audiences. If ITV were paying Ant & Dec minimum wage they wouldn’t be on ITV and ITV’s big shows wouldn’t bring in the audiences they do. Whilst I’m sure it can be hard work and have lots of negative effects I’m not sure it’s anymore stressful than a nurse working 9 hours days on a hospital ward for example.

However stressful it is (or isn't) probably doesn't change the basic fact that (to stay with Ant & Dec and BGT) the ITV presenting job doesn't start at 7:30pm and finish at 10pm when you walk off the stage. BGT rehearses (with the acts at least) in the day in preparation for the live show, and I think its probably safe to assume the talent don't get paid by the hour either. It'll almost certainly be a lump sum for the duration of the show/series/production I'd have thought.

Its the same argument for footballers wages - "oh they get paid <some insane amount> a week to kick a ball around a field for 90 minutes". Except their work week is not confined 90 minutes of action on a Saturday afternoon. Training sessions for one are (I believe) pretty much most other weekdays, then you have all the travelling for away matches, press conferences, other obligations, etc.