Strictly Come Dancing stars demand 'danger money' after show hit with scandal

Celebrities taking part onStrictly Come Dancing are joking how their fees to take part amounts to “danger money” given the show’s reputation. It comes as the BBC programme has been beset by controversy in recent years.

One agent of a star on the show said: “Everyone is a little more mindful about the fact that things can blow up…and one misstep is all it takes. Last year Wynne Evans came under immense pressure, while the previous year Amanda Abbingdon said she had a torrid time…the phrase danger money has been bandied about.”

One source close to a contestant even claimed that when it came to negotiating fees for this series, some agents had imposed a higher minimum fee for their clients to do the show.

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But BBC sources disputed this. The BBC source said: “There’s been no change when it comes to booking stars for this year’s show, or the types of fees being requested or paid out.”

But some agents who have previously placed stars on the show say the Strictly experience can backfire. One said: “It’s the most high-profile show on telly so every little thing is amplified. Some celebs thrive under this pressure but others really struggle. A lot of the time you don’t know until they are in that environment. Some agents are becoming wary about putting their clients forward because of recent headlines.” BBC sources insist that no agents have expressed any concerns.

Strictly has been hit by a string of storms recently. Last year, dancer Giovanni Pernice quit after being accused of bullying and harassing 2023 partner Abbington. Some complaints against him were upheld but he was cleared of the most serious ones in a probe.

In the same series, the BBC pro Graziano Di Prima was removed over claims of misconduct towards partner Zara McDermott during training. And this year, Welsh opera singer Evans left the dance tour after being accused of making inappropriate remarks

This week Kristian Nairn quit the show after just one week into rehearsals. He will be replaced by Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope as BBC bosses scrambled to find a last-minute stand-in.Northern Ireland-born Kristian revealed he had quit in an emotional Instagram video.

The 49-year-old said: "Like so many people at the minute, I have been dealing with a high level of stress and a little bit of grief, if I'm going to be really real. I've always been my mother's son and I have always powered through things like this in the past and any other time of my life actually. Honestly, I think I've got a pretty healthy attitude towards stuff like this.

"I thought I did, at least. For the first time it's manifested physically and it's caused a spike in my vitals. It's entered an area of concern.”

The full Strictly line up was announced last week. Other stars taking part include Love Island 's Dani Dyer, former England rugby union star Chris Robshaw, model Ellie Goldstein, Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal. A Strictly source added: “We’re all delighted with the mix of celebs who’ve signed up, from all walks of life and with their own great stories that will be TV gold. The feeling is everyone at home will have different favourites to root for on the dance floor.”

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