Strictly Come Dancing producers have reportedly decided to offer Anton Du Beke a permanent spot on the judging panel.
Last year the veteran dancer stepped up to the panel to fill in for Bruno Tonioli, who has now missed the last two series due to coronavirus travel restrictions.
Tonioli had been expected to return to the fold this year but according to The Sun, he will not be asked back and Du Beke will get his job full time.
"We have been told Anton's contract as a judge is going to be renewed. The bosses were really happy with his performance," a source told the newspaper.
"It also hasn't escaped their notice his salary is considerably lower than Bruno's.
"Bruno has been an integral part of Strictly for more than a decade, and there is a huge amount of affection for him from those on the show.
"This decision will ruffle some feathers, not least with Craig [Revel Horwood], who has been a very, very vocal advocate for welcoming Bruno back. But the bosses' attitude is, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'."
The BBC has yet to comment on the story.
Neil Wilkes
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