Jonathan Ross may go to BBC's rivals

Jonathan Ross is preparing for life after his BBC "golden handcuffs" deal ends and may work as well for rival broadcasters, it was reported today.

The presenter, 48, is the highest-paid star at the Beeb, raking in £18m as part of a three-year contract.

Cut-price: new Ross deal may not be exclusive

But he is expected to be offered a much-reduced deal when his contract ends next year, after controversy over lavish BBC salaries funded by licence fee-payers during the credit crunch.

The exclusivity clause in his deal may well be removed.

It was announced yesterday he would be returning to compere the British Comedy Awards for ITV, but Ross is likely to continue his BBC flagship chat show.