Strictly Come Dancing judges 'in pay row ahead of new series'

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief

Published: April 13 2023 | 14:32

Last updated: April 14 2023 | 07:29

Strictly Come Dancing judges 'in pay row ahead of new series'

Strictly Come Dancing's judging panel are reportedly at loggerheads with producers over a pay rise.

The Strictly Come Dancing judges are reportedly in a "standoff" with producers over pay for the upcoming series.

The four - Anton Du Beke, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood - are all said to want an 11% pay rise this year to give them a modest real-terms increase when factoring in the current 10.4% of inflation.

According to The Sun, head judge Ballas is the top earner with a salary of £500,000 per series, followed by Mabuse and Horwood on £200,000 each, while Du Beke pockets £180,000 a year.

"There's been a lot of talk around contracts but at the moment, there's something of a stand-off," a source told the newspaper.

"In the blue corner, you have the BBC who are absolutely adamant there will be no bumper deals this year. And in the red corner are the judges - and their agents - united in their desire for renewed deals to reflect the economic situation.

"Yes, their salaries are vast, but Strictly is on for a limited time and other opportunities in a cost-of-living crisis are not so forthcoming.

"At the moment the Beeb is holding firm. Given the licence fee freeze, and the fact the judges' salaries are effectively paid by the public, the optics would be terrible if Craig and co were to swan off with tens of thousands of pounds more for a few months' work."

The new series is due to begin on BBC One in September.