The News of the World has taken the unusual step of replacing TV critic Ally Ross with a family of four from Wales, writes Dominic Ponsford.
Ross left the paper two months ago when he was poached by former editor Rebekah Wade following her move to The Sun. The NoWthen advertised for a traditional nuclear family to take over as TV critics. It stipulated that they needed to be able to write and stick to deadlines and asked that they provide a sample review.
The Webb family, pictured above, from the Vale of Glamorgan, have been signed up for six months for a fee of £40,000. They are Steve, 50, wife Tina, 51, and sons Sam, 17, and Will, 15.
Dad Steve told Press Gazette: “It seemed a good way to make some fairly easy money – getting paid for watching TV.”
An NoWspokeswoman said: “Their views should echo those of our 12 million readers. It’s a first in terms of asking readers to write a regular column, especially a family of four.”
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