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The stars of hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory are seeking substantial pay rises.



Jim Parsons (Sheldon), Johnny Galecki (Leonard) and Kaley Cuoco (Penny) - currently earning $350,000 (£217,700) per episode - are seeking over $500,000 (£310,950), Deadline reports.

Co-stars Mayim Bialik (Amy) and Melissa Rauch (Bernadette) have already been granted a rise, with their salaries expected to double to around $60,000 (£37,314).

Simon Helberg (Howard) and Kunal Nayyar (Raj) - negotiating as a pair - are also seeking pay bumps, with the duo currently earning $125,000 (£77,738) and $75,000 (£46,650) per episode respectively.

The negotiations are for a potential eighth season of The Big Bang Theory, yet to be officially commissioned by CBS.

Two and a Half Men's Ashton Kutcher - $750,000 (£478,377) - and NCIS lead Mark Harmon - $525,000 (£334,864) - were recently revealed to be among US TV's highest-paid stars.

The Big Bang Theory returns to CBS for its seventh season on September 26 and will air on E4 in the UK at a later date.