Strictly Come Dancing stars left 'fuming' over wildly different wages for celebs

Celebrities taking part inStrictly Come Dancingoften cite a love for dancing or a passion for learning a new skill as their reason for signing up to the BBC dance competition, but their pay packet might also help.

Fifteen stars signed the dotted line to take part in this year's show, with them taking to the dancefloor for the very first time last weekend. However, as they get to know each other backstage they are also reportedly learning of their very different wages for taking part.

The celebrities' fees are kept secret by the BBC, unlike other reality shows such as I'm A Celebrity and Celebrity Big Brother. As the stars progress through Strictly they are able to top up their take home pay should they make it to the final.

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This weekend sees the first pairing sent packing, which means whoever goes will only receive their initial fee. Strictly is made by BBC Studios, who can keep the wages quiet and can splash out for certain stars.

"The sliding scale of earning is pretty huge, of course some are bigger names than others but we are talking a big contrast here and in some cases it is not fair at all," a source told the Daily Mail.

"Some have managed to negotiate big sums, others not so and there is, in places, some ill feeling. It can be six months’ work for some so to get paid a low wage isn’t exactly great and it is going to grate."

They added that stars "get what they are worth" but also what their agents are able to negotiate. According to the publication, Dani Dyer is on the higher end despite having to pull out the show due to an injury.

Geordie Shore's Vicky Pattison is also up there along with actress Alex Kingston. It is reported that George Clarke managed to secure a decent payout thanks to his huge online following as well as footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Dani's replacement Amber Davies has received a "decent wage" due to hoping in at the last minute, while drag queen La Voix is understood to be on the lower end of the scale.

EastEnders' Balvinder Sopal is in the middle, with Lorraine's Ross King and Apprentice's Thomas Skinner near the bottom. A source added to them: "‘Thomas is understanding to a point but some of the others are absolutely fuming that they are earning less for doing the same work."

Previous reports claimed if the celebrities make it past Blackpool and the quarter final, the salary jumps up. If they then wow the judges and the viewers and make it to the semi-final, they then receive another top up pay cheque. It then goes up once again for the winner.

Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly reportedly earn an estimated £150,000 for each series. This is said to make Claudia one of the highest paid woman at the BBC, with an estimated salary of £1million.

The Mirror has contacted the BBC for comment.

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