Frasier star Kelsey Grammer reputedly earns �1m an episode

Romano, 45, will be paid up to $1.8m (�1.2m) an episode for the eighth series of Everybody Loves Raymond, according to industry newspaper Hollywood Reporter.

It said the deal put Romano ahead of Kelsey Grammer's $1.6m (�1m)-per-episode fee for his starring role in Frasier, and the $1m (�624,000) per show paid to the cast of Friends.

Neither Romano's agent nor CBS, which screens the sitcom in the US, would comment.

The actor had previously received �500,000 per episode for his role as a New York sports writer in the family comedy, which regularly gets 19 million viewers, the report said.

Romano came to TV after proving successful as a stand-up comic in New York in the 1980s.

His regular appearances at comedy clubs throughout the country led to guest spots on The Tonight Show, firstly hosted by Johnny Carson and later Jay Leno.

CBS chat show host David Letterman offered him a development deal with his production company - leading to the hit sitcom.

Romano plays Ray Barone, a successful sportswriter living on Long Island with his wife, Debra (Patricia Heaton), 11-year-old daughter and seven-year-old twin sons.

Romano has been nominated for an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his part in the series.