'Strictly' judges demand higher salaries

Strictly Come Dancing's judges have demanded dramatic salary increases for the next series of the dance competition.

Len Goodman, Arlene Phillips, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood receive £60,000 each for the 12-week contest, which has become one of the BBC's most popular shows in recent years.

According to a report in the Daily Mail today, the four panel members believe that they are worth much more - and are threatening to quit the show if the BBC does not meet their demands.

"It is the flagship show on BBC's schedule - and has been an incredible ratings winner," an insider told the newspaper. "At the same time they are acutely aware that on ITV's X Factor, the judges are paid more than 15 times the amount they are and that their pay keeps rising. Reports of Dannii Minogue being offered £500,000 for the next series of X Factor seem to have angered them more.

"Closer to home, other stars on BBC are being paid many many millions a year - the obvious example being Jonathan Ross."

"Their agents have been working together and have approached the BBC," the source added. "To their shock, the BBC told them that they could not be seen to be giving them a pay hike while the BBC was cutting costs."

Alesha Dixon and Matt Di Angelo will battle it out in the Strictly final, which airs tonight at 5.50pm and 9.00pm on BBC One.