Anyone watching catch-up BBC programmes on iPlayer through mobile phones or tablets will have to pay the licence fee, it has emerged.

New legislation will mean anyone watching hit shows such as Sherlock, Luther or Match of the Day on iPlayer catch up will have to pay the fee even if they do so whilst on the move.

Currently anyone with a device to access live television has to by law pay the annual £145.50 licence fee unless they only use the screen for catch-up programmes.

New legislation will mean anyone watching hit shows such as Sherlock, Luther or Match of the Day on catch-up will have to pay the fee even if they do so whilst they are on the move

The Government and the BBC wants to close a loophole which lets 'freeloaders' watch as many BBC shows on its iPlayer catch-up service as they like without paying. BBC bosses say the loophole costs them £150million a year.

One option being considered is to make users sign in with a password linked in with a television licence before they can watch live or catch-up programmes.

BBC bosses are concerned with balancing getting people to pay for using the iPlayer but not to go too close a subscription service which may replace the licence fee.

Netflix, SkyGo and music streaming service, Spotify all use a password-linked system

BBC director general Tony Hall (pictured), the corporation has confirmed all mobile devices users will need to pay for the TV licence

Culture secretary, John Whittingdale, backs fast-tracking the legislation to make the change as soon as possible.

A BBC spokesman told The Sunday Times: 'You will need a TV licence for all devices including mobiles and tablets', adding: 'We are yet to work through the details of how we will enforce the proposed changes to iPlayer access. There are a number of complex factors to consider.'

'The change would simply be about moving from needing a licence to watch live TV to also needing one to watch any iPlayer content'.