The Duchess of York is hoping to land a lucrative chat show in America in a bid to help her ex-husband Prince Andrew pay his mounting bills.
TV producer Amy Rosenblum told The Mail on Sunday that she met Sarah Ferguson at New York’s Regency Hotel last month and discussed possible formats.
Ms Rosenblum, one of the most respected figures in American television, who was a long-time producer on America’s top-rated breakfast show, NBC’s Today Show, said: ‘Sarah said to me, “I want a show! I want a show!”
‘I did a pilot with her about 15 years ago. We were up against Ellen DeGeneres and in the end they went with Ellen.
‘But Sarah was really good when we did the pilot. We’ve been friends ever since.’
The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, is hoping to land a lucrative chat show in America
Disgraced Prince Andrew was spotted out riding again today as doubts swirl over the future of his Windsor Royal Lodge home
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah Ferguson wave outside Buckingham Palace on their wedding day, London, England, July 23, 1986
Ms. Rosenblum declined to comment on specific sites that may be in the pipeline.
But an insider at ABC TV, part of the giant Disney Studios, said: ‘Fergie can reasonably expect to earn around £2m a year, but that figure will rise significantly if her show is a hit.
‘She always did well in America. She’s never been too proud to promote anything, whether it’s one of her books or WeightWatchers.
“Americans respect someone who pushes.”
James Cordon earned around £2m a year when he first launched his late night show in the US, but saw this balloon to more than £7m before he quit to return to Britain.
The ABC source said: ‘Ellen has retired so there is a gap in the market.’
DeGeneres hosted her show for 19 years until she retired last year.
She has amassed a fortune of over £100 million and is friends with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who are her neighbors in Montecito.
Drew Barrymore earns £4m a year to host her daily show and former American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson has a £3m a year contract for her daytime series.
Fergie is reportedly keen to help bankroll £2m worth of vital maintenance work at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park.
Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew attend day four of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 21, 2019
The king wiped out Andrew’s annual allowance – believed to be in the region of £250,000 – following the emergence of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal
Andrew faced losing his 30-room mansion until he paid £200,000 for urgent roof repairs this summer.
A source told the Mail on Sunday: ‘It’s true that Sarah wants to help Andrew stay in what she sees as their family home. She lives at Royal Lodge when she is in the UK. It is very much their family’s base.
“Andrew has lost so much. She will do everything she can to help him keep the house, even if it may prove untenable in the long run.’
The prince was stripped of his royal duties and protection after Virginia Roberts claimed she was sex-trafficked to him by convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew has vigorously and consistently denied all allegations.
He was sued in America by Ms Roberts for a reported £12 million but admitted no liability.
Friends say the Prince has been left ‘lost’ by events and is a ‘lost soul’.
“He rides his horses and goes for long walks, but he is a lost soul and alternates between confusion and sense of deprivation at the turn of events,” says one woman in contact with members of his inner circle.
‘He has always maintained his innocence and those close to him absolutely believe him.
‘He’s struggling. He was able to pay for the emergency roof repairs, but it was very much an interim solution.
‘The overall repair bill is significantly higher and you have to factor in the day-to-day running costs of a place like Royal Lodge.
Amy Rosenblum, one of the most respected figures in American television, who was a longtime producer on America’s top-rated breakfast show, NBC’s Today Show, said: ‘Sarah said to me, “I want a show! I want a program!”. Taken at The Perfect World Foundation Award gala on September 13, 2023
The Duke and Duchess of York were gifted the Grade II listed property from the Crown Estate in 2004.
Rumors have circulated that King Charles privately believes his younger brother has ‘no long-term future’ at his royal household. The king pictured in June
‘Money, or the lack of it, was a constant in Andrew and Sarah’s relationship.
“She will do everything she can to support him now, just like she always did.”
The Duchess has enjoyed lucrative deals in the US since her divorce.
In 1989 her financial adviser at the time, John Bryan, negotiated a £4.6 million deal for her Budgie The Little Helicopter books, which led to TV shows and merchandising deals.
WeightWatchers paid her a reported £22 million over 11 years to be the company’s spokesperson.
Wedgwood paid her £500,000 to promote its China and internet company World Online shelled out £1 million for her to serve as its global ambassador.
She sold everything from blenders to tea bags in the US.
She currently sells digital art and poetry online and has a deal with the novel company Mills & Boon for an undisclosed amount.
Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew attending Royal Ascot in 2015
Prince Andrew was spotted riding a horse for the first time in weeks yesterday, following claims the king privately believes he ‘has no long-term future’ at his Royal Lodge home
The ABC source said: ‘The amount she will earn as a chat show host depends on the network.
“Streaming services like Netflix no longer offer silly money like they did with Harry and Meghan. Many people burned.
‘But Americans still like a royal title and English accent and Sarah has both.
“If she’s serious about doing a talk show, doors will definitely open for her.”