GMB: Richard Madeley says he doesn't like talking about his salary
On Wednesday's Good Morning Britain, Richard Madeley dodged revealing his annual earnings while discussing a new survey indicating that over a third of workers have left jobs upon discovering they were paid less than colleagues for identical roles.
Richard and co-host Trisha Goddard debated whether UK salaries should be public knowledge. Countries where everyone's pay is open to the public were mentioned, but Richard refused to disclose his own salary.
"See I can't give you a logical reason for this but I don't want to talk about how much I earn," he confessed.
"I don't know why, I think actually..." Richard began before being interrupted by Trisha who suggested: "I think you are earning the most. Look at our online poll, Richard.
Persisting, Richard said: "I was the same even when I was a terribly placed reporter on the Brentwood [newspaper]. Come on, let's look at our poll," reports the Mirror.
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"Let's go back please I want to see those figures again. 54 percent said that all salaries should be made public and 46 percent said that they shouldn't."
During a lively discussion, Trisha and Richard spoke with guests entrepreneur Adwoa Owusu-Darko and The Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells about the controversial topic.
Trisha asked Adwoa: "Is it different if you're a business owner and it's a company house rather than if you are in a company...for instance like here in a studio, wouldn't it be slightly different if we all knew what each other earned?"
In hushed tones, Trisha added: "Richard..." ensuing laughter when their guest remarked: "I think it is all about normalising what is appropriate in the workplace and I really feel that ultimately, companies that are not willing to foster an open and transparent working environment is actually more costly."
Marnie Swindells, The Apprentice champion joining the debate, countered with conviction: "It would be absolute chaos to have the whole company know what everybody earns.
"I would keep my cards close to my chest, I think it is very much a private matter," she opined.
In a light-hearted turn, Richard teased Marnie about her earnings, prompting her to reiterate: "It is a private matter."
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.
