According to the Daily Mail actor Timothy Spall, who plays Barry Taylor in the recently revived comedy drama, had struck a deal to receive £250,000 for three weeks work on the next series.

Timothy Spall is a regular on TV and in British films

The report suggested the deal had been made after the actor agreed only to appear in a small number of episodes in the next series.

However, the BBC said that no deals had yet been reached for the new series.

But report also said other cast members, including Kevin Whately, Tim Healy, Pat Roach and Chris Fairbank were furious, as they would only receive the same fee for three months worth of filming.

'New series'

"We never discuss artists' contracts or fees, these are confidential," said a BBC spokesperson.

"However, no official negotiations have been entered into, other than discussions about production dates for a possible new series."

Auf Wiedersehen Pet, first screened on ITV in 1983, launched the careers of its cast, including Spall and co-star Jimmy Nail, who played a gang of Newcastle builders seeking work in Germany.

The show was revived earlier this year to great success, with the first programme in the new series pulling in 12 million viewers.

It fared much better than its ITV ratings rival, The Forsyte Saga, and garnered good reviews.

The success of the BBC revival surprised many and negotiations have been underway with writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais for another series.

However, no official details of this have been confirmed.

Spall has had a hugely successful career since first appearing in the show, starring in numerous TV series and films, including several for director Mike Leigh.

He will be seen next in Leigh's latest film All Or Nothing, which is released in the UK in October.