Five to slash a third of its workforce

Five’s chief executive Dawn Airey is expected to announce more than 100 job cuts next Thursday.

Around a third of the broadcaster’s workforce will be affected by the cuts, which are thought to be part of Five’s new efficiency drive, according to reports.

Airey warned staff last year that redundancies were a possibility as part of a root and branch review of the company, which was being carried out by consultancy Eden McCallum.

The consultancy firm started its review of Five last October and has now handed in a final report.

Last month, Airey told the House of Lords that the broadcaster was expecting a “very significant” 10% decline in its advertising revenues this year.

Five has already been forced to cut costs across the business, including dropping talk show host Trisha Goddard.

A Five spokesperson said: “We can confirm the business review is concluding and that we’ll be sharing the findings with staff next week.”