Axed Idols judge Gareth Cliff earns a package fee of R356 160 to judge 10 sessions of the popular reality singing contest, court papers revealed on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
In papers lodged in the High Court in Johannesburg, and obtained by The Juice, Cliff explains he is \u201cno racist\u201d after losing his position in the upcoming Idols series, for saying in social media that a racist comment by Penny Sparrow was freedom of speech.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am not a racist and neither do I in any way support or endorse the racist views of Sparrow and her travelers,\u201d Cliff says.<\/p>\n
He explains his thinking behind the statement that caused him to lose his Idols job.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a person who has long been committed to non-racialism, nation-building and our constitutional democracy, I found the views expressed by Sparrow to be objectionable, disgusting and idiotic. I was deeply offended thereby.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs an ardent believer of free speech, I was however also of the view that Sparrow had a right to express her objectionable views.\u201d<\/p>\n
He is suing M-Net for R25m, of which R5m is for defamation of character. Another R20m is damages resulting from his contract being ended.<\/p>\n
M-Net had an \u201cunlawful knee-jerk reaction\u2026 in misguided protection, at my expense, of its commercial interests, which were not in fact under any threat\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
He had built up a brand over years, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI make my entire living out of the media, broadcasting and entertainment industry, where I have built a large brand value out of my name over some 17 years.\u201d<\/p>\n
In an attachment to the court papers, Annexure \u2018B\u2019, his salary is revealed.<\/p>\n
\u201cA package fee of R356 000\u2026 for the duration of 1 February 2015 to 30 November 2015 for the work as described\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRadio and press interviews, and photo shoots to build the profile as the programme judge to be done at no charge by the judge at no charge to M-Net,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n
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