Craig Revel Horwood has hit out at Strictly Come Dancing’s professionals over claims they’re unhappy with their pay.
The pros on the BBC One series are understood to be paid £50,000 a year for their work on the show.
That compares to the £150,000 to £250,000 pay of the judges, which has apparently led to some grumbles behind the scenes.
But Craig, a Strictly judge since the first series, seems to have little sympathy.
“This show puts them in the limelight,” he told The Sun newspaper. “If they are doing what they normally do, which is competitive dance up in Blackpool, there would be 500 people interested.
“There is 12million people interested in this show.”
He added: “They have all got Twitter accounts and they are all making money on the side doing something else. I think, ‘Isn’t that enough? Go and do Cats for 200 quid a week and then see how you feel’.”
It was claimed earlier this year that the show’s professionals had asked for a pay rise from show bosses.
“The professionals have been talking among themselves and are going to come together to ask Strictly bosses for a pay rise,” a source alleged. “They put in incredible hours rehearsing both with their celebrities and also group routines. A lot of them are putting in 10 hour days which is a lot of dancing.”
Speaking to The Sun, the source explained: “It has been on the cards for a long time and they haven’t had a payrise in years. They love the show, they just want to feel their money reflects the amount of work they put in and also the celebrity status and profile that comes with it.
“Some of them are now almost better known than the celeb contestants and they feel that should lead to more cash — especially when the judges get paid so much just for turning up once a week. Some feel it’s a bit of a joke.”
However Strictly pro Oti Mabuse denied the reports in an interview with OK! Magazine. She said: “There is no pay row with any of the dancers. We don’t have time to be rowing, we’re too busy focusing on the competition!
“We are happy and very grateful to be on TV and have a job. We’re very lucky to be on Strictly and get whatever fee we do get.”
Strictly Come Dancing continues this Saturday and Sunday night on BBC One.
