Strictly star Shirley Ballas’ six figure salary revealed – and it’s WAY more than former head judge Len Goodman’s pay
STRICTLY’S Shirley Ballas’ whopping six figure salary has been revealed and some fans may be shocked to know it is WAY more than the late Len Goodman’s pay.
Shirley, 64, took over as head judge in 2017, when Len left the show to focus on Dancing With The Stars in the US.
Now, it’s been revealed just how much the ballroom champ banks every year for her work on Strictly Come Dancing.
Shirley started at £180K when she joined seven years ago.
However, she now earns around £500K per series, according to the Daily Mail.
This is in stark contrast to the late Len, who was reportedly on £120K.
Meanwhile, Shirley’s fellow judges are also on far less than her.
Craig Revel Horwood started on £110K in 2004, and is now understood to be earning around £200K, while Anton Du Beke is reported to earn between £175K and £200K.
Motsi Mabuse was reportedly offered a starting salary of £200K when she joined in 2019.
It’s not been the best week for Shirley, who has been accused of ‘blatant favouritism’ by fans threatening to switch off.
Last month, she was forced to hit back back after online trolls launched a petition to get her kicked off the show.
It followed her decision to vote off singer Shayne Ward – which also led to abuse on social media.
But it appears BBC viewers have come for her again, ranting on Reddit that they won’t tune in to the next series if she returns.
In a forum titled, “If Shirley is still Head Judge next year, I probably won’t watch,” one wrote: “As Head Judge, they have the deciding vote so they MUST be impartial.
“Her blatant favouritism puts the integrity of the entire competition into disrepute and I cannot see how her position is anything other than untenable.”
Another added: “Shirley’s inconsistent with her making, and her comments to Chris [McCausland] are so patronising, as well. She’s an uncomfortable watch, at best.”
Someone else said: “Shirley I liked when she first started but she has got worse over time and it’s clear when she has favourites (e.g. Pete [Wicks]).”
Poor Shirley got a barrage of stick after November’s shock dance-off between Coronation Street actor Shayne and Wynne Evans.
It resulted in the judges saving the opera singer.
Some people started a petition calling for Shirley to be sacked from her role.
She later hit out at the “vitriol” and pledged her future to the show.
Asked if she is going to be part of the line-up next year, Shirley said: “You know, I’m not going anywhere as long as the BBC would like to have me.”
She added firmly: “I judge without fear or favour.
“I’m just someone who sits in that chair as head judge to stay in my lane and judge the dancing — legs, feet, body co-ordination, synchronisation and chemistry between the leader and the follower.”
Strictly stars at risk of the axe in 2025
Gorka Marquez joined Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer in 2016 when he was partnered with EastEnders actress Tameka Empson. The following year he was partnered with singer Alexandra Burke. They reached the final and finished as one of the runners-up.
In 2020, he was partnered with actress Maisie Smith. Again, he made it to the final and finished as a runner-up.
He failed to make it third time lucky in 2022, finishing runner-up again with Helen Skelton.
Nadiya Bychkova joined the show in 2017 with EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami. The pair reached Week 11, finishing in 6th place.
Her best performance to date came in 2021 when she finished fifth with Dan Walker.
Neil Jones has been without a celebrity partner more times than he’s had one since joining in 2016.
His best finish was with ex-footballer Alex Scott in 2019, finishing in fifth.
Katya Jones was another 2016 addition and made an instant impression with politician Ed Balls. Their Gangnam Style routine is still a favourite to this day.
In 2017 she lifted the Glitterball with Joe McFadden.
The following year she was at the heart of a show scandal after snogging her dance partner, the comedian Seann Walsh.
Karen Hauer has been an ever-present since 2012.
Despite her lengthy association with the show, she’s never lifted the Glitterball. The closest she came was in 2020 when she finished runner-up with Jamie Laing.