How Much Do The Contestants On Strictly Get Paid

Ever wondered what the magic number is that gets the Strictly Come Dancing stars twirling and jiving? You know, the one that makes them put on their sequined best and strut their stuff on live TV? Well, grab a cuppa and let's dive in!

So, how much do they rake in?

The big bucks, you ask? Well, it's not quite as much as you'd think. The actual amount is kept under wraps by the BBC, but we can give you a sneaky peek behind the scenes.

First things first, the celebrities aren't paid a flat fee. No, no, no. It's a bit more complicated than that. They get paid per episode, and it's all about how far they make it in the competition.

Let's talk base pay

For the first few weeks, celebs start on a base pay of around £25,000 to £30,000 per episode. That's right, they're already rolling in the dough before they've even mastered the cha-cha!

But here's where it gets interesting. As they progress, their pay packet grows. It's like they're dancing their way up the salary ladder!

Week by week

By the time they reach the quarter-finals, they're pocketing around £40,000 to £50,000 per episode. And if they make it all the way to the final, they could be looking at a cool £60,000 to £80,000 for that one, glittering performance.

But wait, there's more! If they win, they get a nice little bonus. We're talking around £100,000. Not bad for a few months of dancing, huh?

What about the professional dancers?

Now, these guys are the real MVPs. They're the ones putting in the hours, teaching their celeb partners the moves, and making them look good on the dance floor. So, what do they get for their troubles?

Well, it's not quite as much as you'd think. The top pros can earn around £40,000 for the entire series. That's right, you heard it here first. And that's before tax, too. Ouch!

But here's the thing. They're not in it for the money. They're in it for the love of dance, the thrill of competition, and the chance to make their celeb partners shine. Isn't that sweet?

Fancy dress, fancy pay

Now, you might be thinking, "But what about all those fabulous outfits? Surely they get a clothing allowance?" Well, you're in luck! The BBC does indeed shell out for the celebs' wardrobes. But the pros? They have to buy their own. Yes, really!

And get this - the celebs get to keep their outfits at the end of the series. The pros? They have to return theirs. Talk about a fashion faux pas!

Why all the secrecy?

You might be wondering why the BBC is so tight-lipped about the pay. Well, it's all about fairness, apparently. They don't want to give one celeb an unfair advantage over another. Plus, it's a bit of a sensitive subject. No one wants to be accused of buying their way to the Glitterball trophy, do they?

But don't worry, we're not ones to leave you hanging. We've done our research, and we've got the lowdown on who's raking in the most cash. And it might just surprise you...

Top earners

So, who's the highest-paid celeb of all time? Drumroll, please... It's none other than Beverley Knight! That's right, the singer-songwriter took home a cool £275,000 for her time on the show in 2017. Not bad for a few months of dancing, huh?

But Beverley's not the only one who's cashed in on her Strictly success. Harry Judd from McFly took home around £200,000 in 2011, and Caroline Flack earned around £150,000 in 2014. Not too shabby, eh?

So, is it all about the money?

Now, you might be thinking that it's all about the cash. But here's the thing - it's not. Sure, the money's nice, but it's not why they do it. It's about the challenge, the camaraderie, and the chance to dance their way into our hearts.

And let's not forget the pros. They're not in it for the money, either. They're in it for the love of dance, the thrill of competition, and the chance to make their celeb partners shine. Isn't that something special?

So, there you have it. The lowdown on Strictly pay. It's not as much as you'd think, but it's still enough to make you want to put on your dancing shoes and strut your stuff. Who knows? You might just end up with a Glitterball trophy - and a nice little payday - to boot!