The BBC has issued redundancy letters to some of its top stars, it was reported on Saturday night.

It forms part of a cost-saving move by the corporation, which is looking to cut expenditure by restructuring its news division.

The BBC has written to all its senior TV and radio presenters asking them to consider voluntary redundancy.

The report in the Mail on Sunday suggests that the letter from Philippa Busby, the interim managing editor of news and current affairs, had contacted leading names.

Ms Busby's letter, seen by the publication, said: "As you will be aware, in 2022 we announced a number of changes across BBC News which have meant that some colleagues have been placed at risk of redundancy, including some colleagues in presenter roles."

A source in the newsroom, who asked not to be named, said: "The email is addressed to all senior news presenters and presenters on the band immediately below. Everyone got it on the same day."

They gave the presenters until last Friday to register their interest in a drive to cut the number of compulsory redundancies.

The BBC said: "We're looking for expressions of interest in redundancy, not offering it, and it's not the case that any or everyone who came forward would be accepted." 

The BBC is facing a challenging future amid concerns over its funding and has witnessed a recent exodus of stars.

Earlier this month, 90 per cent of Telegraph readers said they backed abolishing the licence fee, with many claiming it was “regressive and out of date”.