It seems that chat show host and comedian Paul O’Grady is going to be moving back to a tea-time slot on ITV, despite the fact that three years ago, he said he’d “rather sweep the streets” than work for ITV again.

However it seems that Channel 4 – who currently host his popular chat show – are planning to make massive budget cuts which Paul believes will damage the format of the show.

ITV have apparently told Paul that while they will cut his own pay, they will not reduce the budget for the actual show, which is around £2 million per year. A source close to Paul told The Sun that he’s happy with that arrangement, saying, “Paul is happy to take a smaller fee for presenting the show…

“He knows times are hard. But taking a massive cut from the budget of the show will just make it worse.

“There will be major changes that will have to be made to it if that happens — and then it won’t be the same show.”

Paul left ITV in 2006 after accusing the channel’s bosses of ignoring him and “forgetting to renew his contract”. Following this, ITV apparently banned Paul from using their studios for filming any of his shows and that was when Paul declared he’d never work for ITV again.

“I’m not working for these petty tyrants anymore. The ban is pure spite. I will lose money but I would rather be sweeping the streets than working for ITV.”

A Channel 4 spokesman wouldn’t discuss Paul or his show directly but told the paper, “We are a commercial company and therefore not immune from the current climate.

“People have the right to look elsewhere when their deals with us end.”