Shirley Ballas is set for a mega pay rise as she returns to Strictly Come Dancing this year.
New judge Shirley joined Strictly Come Dancing last series in place of Len Goodman, who stepped down after a decade in 2016.
As well as taking over his seat on the panel, Shirley became the new head judge and had the casting vote in the dance off.
It’s been claimed today that Shirley will return this autumn, agreeing a new deal with BBC bosses.
And she’s set to scoop a big pay deal to match Len’s old fee.
The Daily Mirror reports that Shirley will get £250,000 this year, up from £180,000 in 2017.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “Shirley was thrilled her salary was brought up to what Len Goodman was paid in the role of head judge.
“She couldn’t see why she should get less than the person she replaced – especially after more than proving herself in her first year. It’s a great victory for equal pay.”
A spokesperson for Strictly declined to comment on the “contractual matters”.
Discussing her pay on ITV’s Loose Women, Shirley said: “I do believe if a woman is doing the same job as a man, then everybody should be on equal pay.
“Also, I understand that my first time on Strictly was like a trial so to speak.
“They’ve got to see if you can do the job.
“I felt that everybody was really happy and I’m sure that they will be more than fair when they give me the contract.”
It’s fully expected that Shirley will be back alongside fellow judges Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood.
A source told The Sun newspaper previously: “Shirley and the BBC wanted to do another series so everyone’s chuffed they’ve come to an agreement. The whole panel is coming back.
“Viewers seemed to like the chemistry between them. It’s all verbally agreed. Formal contracts should be signed in the coming days.”
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One.
The line up is expected to be revealed in the summer before the show begins at the start of September.
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