Jonathan Ross in hot water over Xmas TV jibe

Chat show host Jonathan Ross may be forced to apologise to BBC bosses after he jokingly criticised the BBC Christmas TV schedule.

The Mirror reports that the 48-year-old - who is the corporation's highest paid star - made the remarks on his Twitter page, initially ranting at a film on ITV.

"WTF is this thing on ITV?" he said. "Zombie food?"

However when another user pointed out that he wouldn't say the same about any of the BBC's programmes, Ross responded with, "BBC has s**te on occasionally fer sure."

Viewer Neil Buckley told the paper, "Rossy’s comment might echo what we all think, but it’s an amazing gaffe to make so publicly. To attack your employer in such a way is incredible."

A spokesman for Ross said, "Jonathan was commenting as a punter."

However much of this year's festive schedule proved unpopular with viewers, with many branding it "appalling" on Internet messageboards.

Viewing figures were down on last year with the top ten shows attracting an average of 8.7m viewers compared with 9.7m in 2008.