Cowell takes top honours

Simon Cowell is now the highest paid man on US television. He took home an impressive pay-packet of more than £26 million in just one year for hosting American Idol. His overall salary almost put him on a level with TV queen Oprah Winfrey who earns £175 million a year. Two and a Half Men star Charlie Sheen tops the highest paid TV actor list, according to TV Guide magazine. The star rakes in over £420,000 per episode, including income from his ownership rights in the show. William Petersen, who plays Gil Grissom on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, is the second highest paid, taking home over £300,000 a show.

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ITN | August 6, 2008

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