The top cast members of EastEnders have been told to take a pay cut – or lose some of their time on screen.

The budget slashing by cash-strapped BBC bosses has led to anger from some of the cast who will see their pay packets fall by 15%.

Major earners on the soap including Barbara Windsor and Steve McFadden will lose about £54,000 a year from their £360,000 salaries. Pam St Clement, who plays Pat, earns £330,000 and will be stopped £49,500, while Adam (Ian Beale) will get £263,500 instead of £310,000.

The stars are paid their full salaries if they appear in each of the four shows a week, which means they will either have to accept less money when their current deals end or appear in fewer episodes.

Bosses have been slashing pay across all stations to save cash but the latest cuts led to anger among some of the cast.

A show insider said: “Everybody realises there is a recession on and everybody has to do their bit. But some of the stars feel like they are being bullied into taking a pay cut, according to The Mirror.

“The licence fee has stayed the same and the same money is coming in.
“Yet the people who bring in the viewers are being told they have to take a cut. It is not fair and a lot of people are unhappy.

Everyone who comes in can’t work on other shows so they can’t cut their hours and pick up work elsewhere.” But a BBC source said: “Most of the cast understand the reason behind the cuts and just appreciate having work in these difficult times when so many people are struggling financially.”

Director general Mark Thompson told some of the broadcaster’s top presenters in June that those earning more than £100,000 a year face a drop of 25%. Some big earners could see cuts of 40% when contracts are renewed.

This week, Jonathan Creek star Alan Davies revealed he had taken 25% less pay to star in a oneoff episode. The Albert Square insider added that the cuts for the show’s stars could have been much worse if not for savings made in other areas of the budget.

He said: “The show, like other parts of the BBC, has been affected by the downturn, economies had to be made. Costs have been cut in other areas so we do not have to economise that far.”

A bbc spokeswoman said: “EastEnders, along with other BBC programmes, has to reduce its budget over the next few years. Talent salaries are not excluded when looking to make these savings.”

EastEnders also faces increased costs as it moves towards filming in High Definition. The old film set, built in 1985, is showing signs of wear and tear and producers fear viewers will see how worn it is in pin-sharp pictures.