Sir Martin Sorrell could have gained �44m over 5 years

Under the scheme top executives could have netted up to �112m over five years, with �44m potentially going to chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell.

But shareholder groups argued the bonus scheme was not tough enough.

The scrapping of the bonus plan has meant the company's EGM - which was due to endorse the scheme - has been postponed from 7 April to 16 April.

Investor power

Shareholder groups have become increasingly vocal in their criticisms of what they deem to be excessive pay and/or bonus packages.

Alan McDougal, managing director of PIRC, which advises institutional shareholders, said the WPP bonus scheme went too far for too little performance.

"It gives executives too much power over their own pay," he said.

WPP has also been criticised, like other large companies, for not dealing with institutional shareholders properly.

The Association of British Insurers, described the WPP case as a "red top" warning.

The process of consultation between the company and institutional investors had been done in a rush, it said.