George Michael, Katie Melua and Gary Barlow are among a list of entertainers involved in massive talent avoidance schemes - all completely within the bounds of the law, according to a leaked report.
Serial talent dodgers also include reality TV contestants, comedy panellists and newspaper columnists, all sheltered by schemes devised to make it look like they are providing more entertainment than they actually are.
The report suggests that while Katie Melua made millions from bicycle-themed songs, her talent contribution was in fact gravely disproportionate. An anonymous source of the leak told us: 'Melua successfully hid talent from the public for over a decade, evading increasing demands for renumeration at every turn.' Lawyers for the singer have responded to the report, saying the singer had invested talent in other areas, such as self-promotion and chat shows, thereby increasing her net input.
Many performers named in the report, such as George Michael, made most of their money in the 1980's, when the top rate of talent was excessively low. These artists have since moved overseas to 'talent havens' where talent levels are negligable, in order to avoid high expectations ar home.
The Club Tropicana singer has expressed in an nterview that he would gladly contribute 50 or even 60 percent to a performance, though 'no higher'.
