LONDON, March 12 /PRNewswire/ -- New research out today from Tesco Mobile reveals the incredible earning power of TV celebrities who get paid to talk, with some earning as much as GBP2,458 per minute.

The research ties in with the launch of Tesco Mobile's Pay-As-You-Go tariff. While Tesco Mobile can't offer customers GBP2,458 a minute, they can triple their credit - proving that celebs are not the only ones to benefit from talking more.

At the top of the list of celebrities reaping high rewards for their natter, was London hypnotist Paul McKenna, who values his talk time at a huge GBP2,458 per minute - substantially more than any of his counterparts.

Other TV presenters raking in the pounds include X-Factor star Simon Cowell who charges up to GBP224.30 every minute he roasts another aspiring performer, and the nation's favourite Cheshire lass, Strictly Come Dancing presenter, Tess Daly, who earns a respectable GBP133 each minute.

Not to be outdone by her English rivals, Welsh warbler Charlotte Church proves that she's a mum that can still bring in the big bucks at a competitive GBP48.10 per minute - that's GBP2,886 an hour.

The most expensive British celebrity talkers are:

1. Paul McKenna (GBP2,458.00 per minute)

2. Simon Cowell (GBP224.30 per minute)

3. Tess Daly (GBP133.00 per minute)

4. Sir Trevor McDonald (GBP100.00 per minute)

5. Charlotte Church (GBP48.10 per minute)

6. Fern Britton (GBP22.50 per minute)

7/8 Tony Blair (GBP16.00 per minute)

7/8 Sir Alex Ferguson (GBP16.00 per minute)

9. Chris Moyles (GBP11.50 per minute)

10. Kirsty Gallacher (GBP6.60 per minute)

TV presenters are unrivalled as the highest earning celebrities in the UK. But the talk-time rates vary broadly - men earn more than women and Paul McKenna who commands the highest talk-time fee per minute charges more than ten times the rate of Simon Cowell, the second most expensive celebrity talker.

As part of the research Tesco Mobile also examined how much those who talk for a living earn for a minute of conversation. Voice over artists trumped even politicians, lawyers and doctors at GBP1.67 each minute for their talk-time. Life coaches are in second place earning a very decent GBP1.25 per minute, followed by non-celebrity DJs.

At the bottom of the professionals list are priests, charging only 5p per minute for talk-time - making for some very cheap sermons.

Tesco Mobile's pay as you go tariff gives customers free credit when they top up to spend how they like on calls, texts and browsing. For example, customers topping up by GBP15 will get GBP30 extra credit for free.

Lance Batchelor, Chief Executive Officer of Tesco Mobile and Tesco Telecoms commented:

"As our research shows, talk isn't always cheap and that is why we're pleased to be able to reward our customers with triple credit for the chatting they do."

More information on Tesco Mobile's triple your credit tariff can be found at: http://www.tescomobile.com

EDITOR'S NOTES

The research was undertaken by Research Insight for Tesco Mobile. For further details on the sources consulted for the rates quoted please contact the press office.

Rates per minute by profession:

1. Voice over artist (GBP1.67 per minute)

2. Life coach (GBP1.25 per minute)

3. Radio DJ (non-celebrity) (GBP1.14 per minute)

4. Teacher (GBP0.40 per minute)

5. Lawyer (GBP0.36 per minute)

6. Psychiatrist (GBP0.32 per minute)

7. Doctor (GP) (GBP0.26 per minute)

8. Publicist (GBP0.20 per minute)

9. Taxi driver (GBP0.18 per minute)

10 / 11 Politician (Local MP) (GBP0.13 per minute) / Horse whisperer (GBP0.13 per minute)

12 / 13 Receptionist (GBP0.10 per minute) / Bingo caller (GBP0.10 per minute)

14. Priest (GBP0.05 per minute)

Free credit can be used for calls and texts to UK mobiles and landlines starting 01, 02 and 03 as well as picture messaging and mobile internet browsing.

About Tesco Mobile:

Tesco Mobile is a 50:50 joint venture between Tesco and O2. The company sells exclusively Tesco Mobile branded services in Tesco stores across the UK using O2's technology and network. The service gives Tesco Mobile customers value, simplicity and choice, offering them supermarket style offers and the chance to earn Clubcard points when buying handsets and call time.