Strictly Come Dancing became one of the most beloved programmes on British TV when it launched in 2004.
Now, two decades later, the BBC’s besequinned series, which is hosted by Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, still has viewersobsessed with it.
This season will see celebs like Lewis Cope, Thomas Skinner, Vicky Pattison, Ellie Goldstein, and plenty more go head-to-head to try to take home the Glitterball Trophy.
Giving their verdict on the stars’ dancing efforts each week are head judge Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and the notoriously difficult-to-please Craig Revel Horwood.
It’s not all fun and games as the stars have to deal with hours of gruelling rehearsals, the entire nation watching their every move, and the Strictly curse.
So how much do they all get paid for taking part in Strictly Come Dancing?
Here is everything you need to know about the contestants, judges and professional dancers’ salaries.
How much do the Strictly celebrities get paid?
While the BBC has kept schtum about the paycheque the celebs take home for dancing on the ballroom floor, reports suggest contestants each earn a flat rate of £25,000.
However, if the stars can master the mambo and win over the judges with their Waltz to make it through the first few weeks of the competition, that sum then goes up to £40,000.
The celebrities that make it all the way to the quarter-finals will then see their earnings shoot up to £60,000, while finalists will get paid £75,000.
And the winner doesn’t just earn bragging rights and the Glitterball Trophy but will be dancing all the way to the bank with £100,000.
How much do the professional dancers on Strictly get paid?
The professional dancer line-up may get a shake-up now and again with old favourites leaving, such as Gorka Márquez – but reports claim they’re all given a standard rate.
Supposedly the dancers are paid a flat rate of between £35,000 to £50,000 to appear on the show.
However, they can top up their BBC fees by performing in the Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals tour and, of course, use the juggernaut series’ platform to hustle for other gigs.
How much do the Strictly Come Dancing judges get paid?
Head judge Shirley began on £180,000 when she joined the show in 2017 but has since negotiated a pay rise up to a whopping £500,000 per series, according to The Sun.
Craig, meanwhile, started out on a salary of £110,000 when he joined the show back in 2004.
More than a decade later, The Sun reports, he earned £180,000, which rose to £200,000 in 2020.
Newer judge Motsi was reportedly offered a starting salary of £200,000 when she joined the Strictly judging panel in 2019. Her current fee is unknown.
Former pro dancer Anton swapped the ballroom floor for the judging panel, replacing Bruno Tonioli, who left to concentrate on Dancing With The Stars.
The Sun claims the 56-year-old takes home between £175,000 and £200,000.
Strictly Come Dancing is streaming on BBC iPlayer.
This article was first published on November 1, 2023.
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