Home and Away’s biggest stars have come under scrutiny from Network Seven’s board as their salaries become the latest topic of discussion following the carnage.
Well-known names such as Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart, who are believed to be worth millions, have temporarily suspended their huge salaries.
As Seven continues to cut jobs, a source told Daily Mail Australia its biggest soap stars will not be getting a pay rise for the time being.
“I can’t imagine this would be a good time for Ada Nicodemou or James Stewart to renegotiate their contracts,” the insider said.
While the series continues to enjoy high ratings, the soap opera will not be spared from budget cuts as the network tightens its belt.
‘The current management team is keeping the network afloat, but it’s safe to say the glory days of the highly paid soap stars are over.’
They also said that executives are closely monitoring the salaries of some of their original Home and Away talent and may ‘reduce their screen time’.
‘It’s something Neighbours did with Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne. Even Ryan Maloney has a more cost-effective role behind the scenes now,’ they revealed.
Home and Away’s biggest stars have found themselves in the crosshairs of Network Seven executives as their salaries become the latest to be questioned amid the carnage. Pictured are Ray Meagher, 80, (left) and Ada Nicodemou, 47, (right)
‘The show can’t afford to lose these celebrated characters, but they write their characters off for a month or two on Yabbie Creek.
“That’s where you can expect to see some of these fragments appear on screen.”
While the network reportedly took these measures to protect the popular soap opera, it believes the series will survive the cuts unscathed.
Famous names including Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart, 48, (right), who are believed to be worth millions, have been given a break on their huge salaries
However, the source says that ‘anyone looking to increase their salary at the popular soap will have to wait until next year’.
While it’s not known exactly how much Home and Away’s biggest names earn, stars including Ada, 47, and James, 48, are believed to be worth millions between them for their work on the show.
Ada, who is currently in a relationship with James both on and off-screen, previously showed off her very eye-catching $147,000 Porsche Macan in 2018.
Veteran star Ray Meagher, who plays the beloved Alf Stewart, was also once reportedly earning $500,000 a year ago, in 2009, and that has probably increased.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Seven for comment.
