The Strictly Come Dancing judges are reportedly deadlocked with show bosses over a salary increase.
Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke are reportedly seeking an 11 per cent salary increase ahead of the new season of the BBC dance competition show.
According to a report by The sun on Wednesday, the BBC is ‘steadfast’ against the judges and the wage row means the two groups are reportedly deadlocked.
If the pay rise went through, Shirley would reportedly earn an additional £55,000 as she was said to be earning close to £500,000.
Meanwhile, Motsi and Craig were reported to earn an extra £20,000 if the pay rise went through as they would both be sitting on £200,000.
Shocker: Strictly Come Dancing judges are reportedly deadlocked with the BBC over a pay rise, according to a report released on Wednesday
Lineup: Shirley Ballas (center left), Craig Revel Horwood (R), Motsi Mabuse (center right) and Anton Du Beke (L) reportedly seeking an 11 percent salary increase
The publication also reported that Anton would earn an additional £19,000 as he is currently believed to earn £180,000.
A source told the publication: ‘In the blue corner you have the BBC who are absolutely adamant that there will be no bumper deals this year.
And in the red corner are the judges — and their agents — united in their desire for renewed deals to reflect the economic situation.
“Yes, their salaries are huge, but Strictly is available for a limited time and other opportunities in a cost-of-living crisis are not so forthcoming.”
The source also claimed that negotiations between the BBC and the judges are still ongoing and no terms have yet been agreed.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and BBC spokespersons for further comment.
This comes after Shirley reportedly got a ‘take it or leave it’ deal from strict bosses to stay on the show, after she revealed she could stop trolling online.
The chief judge and Latin expert faced a lot of criticism last year in which trolls criticized her decisions and accused her of ageism and sexism.
Negotiations: This comes after Shirley reportedly got a ‘take it or leave it’ deal from strict bosses to stay on the show, after revealing she might quit due to online trolls
But despite previous threats to quit, Shirley has been in talks with bosses about a possible return to Strictly, revealing on Sunday’s Jonathan Ross show that “their people are talking to my people.”
Shirley joined the jury as chief judge in 2017, following the departure of Len Goodman.
The ‘Queen of Latin’ has reportedly received a pay rise in line with her fellow judges Craig, Motsi and Anton.
That’s what a TV insider said The sun“The show’s team cares deeply about Shirley’s well-being and will continue to do everything in their power to mitigate the effects of what is said on social media.
“But they are also very aware that we are in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis and a license fee freeze and it is against this whole backdrop that the deal was presented to Shirley.
“No one wants her to walk, but Strictly has proven throughout history that no one is bigger than the show.”
Shirley recently hinted that she may not return to Strictly Come Dancing this year after the deluge of vicious online abuse she received during the last series.
In a candid interview, she indicated that the previous series may have been her last, as she had hit an “all-time low” after the abuse “got out of hand.”
The ballroom dancer shared how she was constantly left in tears and struggled in silence after each show, telling that it was “the most negativity” she had ever experienced.
She told the Mirror: ‘Last year I had a hard time. It wasn’t a little bit, it was a lot – most of it was in silence. I felt the abuse spiraled out of control and affected me in such a negative way. I’m quite a stoic person and I tend to keep everything inside.’
She explained that when the abuse started, it seemed “bigger than anything else,” with the star talking about how it left her “crying and emotional,” as she was “embarrassed” by how she felt and didn’t confide in anyone.
On the way out: The professional dancer, who appears as a judge on the show, previously revealed she had ‘had conversations’ about leaving the ballroom competition
Issues: Shirley was targeted by members of the viewing public who accused her of ageism and sexism while criticizing the contestants during the final series (LR judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley and Anton Du Beke seen on the show in December 2022)
Shirley added, “And that was a low point since I joined the show – it was the most negativity I’d ever experienced. The BBC has been brilliant, monitoring me and offering advice and support.’
When asked if she’d considered quitting Strictly, she replied, “It’s been a tough series, I’ll leave it at that… Shall I go back to Strictly?” I always take one step at a time.’
She went on to say that she “absolutely loved her job” and if it were only up to her to judge without the trolls involved, it would be the most “rewarding” job she could think of doing.
The Queen of Latin went on to say that after finishing Strictly in 2022, she should take a “break” from TV to “refocus” on her own industry and to “protect her sanity.”
Shirley went on to reveal the shocking volume of messages she received – one in five of which were hateful – and said the thousands of responses she got when she sent someone home were “truly awful.”
She added that she was accused of disliking young or old people, men or women, noting that it “didn’t matter” what she did, she could “never win.”
However, she proudly said she stood by her decisions and never “regretted” sending someone home based on how they performed at the dance, noting that she could sleep at night “with her choices.”
In December, Shirley revealed she was taking some time off over Christmas after dealing with “massive amounts of trolls” on the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Hesitant: Shirley previously indicated that the previous series may have been her last, as she hit an “all-time low” after the abuse “got out of hand” (pictured in 2022)
The BBC show’s head judge said she would ‘get myself together for the new year’ by being away for a while for the ‘first time ever’.
The dance icon decided not to do panto last year, explaining how a scary incident last year in which a letter was hand-delivered to the theater influenced her decision.
She said S magazine: ‘It’s the first time I’ve taken time off – ever! I’m taking two and a half weeks off, because of the sheer amount of trolls I’ve gotten on this series.
“I decided I wasn’t going to do panto this year. The last time I did it I got a personally delivered letter at the theater which was very unpleasant.’
“I actually kept it. I do not know why. So I’m going to take some time off and get myself together for the new year.’
In November, Shirley revealed how “cruel” trolls had left her to seek medical attention for “bad mood and anxiety.”
She explained that for the first time in a career spanning more than five decades, she went to her doctor to find a way to manage the impact of the taunts on her.
said Shirley OK! magazine of the abuse she endured on the current series of Strictly: “It took its emotional toll, which is why I’m not going to do panto.
‘[I’m] emotional and down and I’m not going to lie to you, it sure hit me this year… When it gets personal it’s brutal.
‘It makes you [go]… ‘Do I look good? Am I overweight? is this me? Is that me? Cover your bingo arms. Should I wear a dress with sleeves?’
MailOnline has reached out to representatives for Shirley Ballas for comment.