Strictly Come Dancing professionals are reportedly 'seething' after the judges demanded a payrise in line with inflation. Strictly judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke have reportedly asked BBC bosses for an 11 per cent increase on top of their hefty salaries.
The professional dancers are allegedly considering asking for a pay rise after head judge Shirley, reportedly on £500,000 a year, could see her salary jump by £55,000. BBC bosses have seemingly denied the judges request for an 11 per cent payrise, and have put forward a counteroffer of between 3-4 per cent.
This decision has seemingly left the judging panel in a deadlock with the broadcaster - but the dancers are also unhappy with the situation.
An insider told The Sun : “The pros are seething. They work their a***s off for three months of the year, while the judges swan in on a Saturday, watch some nice dancing and air their thoughts.
“A few of the dancers mooted the idea of staging their own protest. But they are well aware there’s a cost of living crisis and they all love and are appreciative of their jobs.”
This comes after it was reported the judges are looking for a hefty pay increase, while the dancers who train for hours every day are stuck on a fixed rate salary. It's been cited that the pros are on a fixed sum of around £35,000 for their work on the BBC ballroom dancing show.
An insider told The Sun: “There’s been a lot of talk around contracts but at the moment, there’s something of a stand-off. 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.”
The source added: “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.
“And, let’s face it, they’re hardly down the mines. At present, it’s safe to say no terms have been agreed, and there’s some way to go in negotiations.”
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