The professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing are allegedly unhappy after the judges ‘got entangled in a pay hike battle with the BBC’.
Shirley Ballas, 62, Craig Revel Horwood, 58, Motsi Mabuse, 42, and Anton Du Beke, 56, are believed to be at odds with the Line of Duty broadcaster after requesting an 11% pay raise.
The quartet are believed to be wanting more money due to growing inflation, but the broadcaster is alleged to have rejected their demands, resulting in a “stand-off.”
Professional dancers, who reputedly paid between £35,000 and £50,000 to compete on the programme, are claimed to have weighed in on the argument.
According to one source, the professional experts are’seething’ about the reported demand.
They continued: ‘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.’
While the BBC has not officially remarked on the judges’ pay, it has been rumoured that Shirley is paid £500,000, Craig is paid £200,000, Motsi is paid £200,000, and Anton is paid between £175,000 and £200,000.
According to The Sun, while the BBC has rejected the 11% hike, it is’more likely’ to counteroffer in the range of 3 to 4%.
In a statement, the 34-year-old wrote: ‘After four fantastic years it’s time for me to hang up my glittery jacket and say goodbye to It Takes Two.
‘I’ve had the best time hosting the show alongside Janette [Manrara] and Zoe [Ball] and I can’t thank the amazing team enough for always putting on a great show.
‘I’ve been welcomed into the Strictly family and will firmly hold that title dear to me.
‘The time has come for me to pass on the baton to someone else and explore what else life has for me.
‘Thank you Strictly, you will always have my heart… and dancing feet.’
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.
Source My Celebrity Life.