Shirley Ballas has received a £70,000 pay rise.
Shirley Ballas
The 57-year-old Queen of Latin was paid £180,000 for her work as head judge on 'Strictly Come Dancing' last year, but after signing on to continue for a second series, she's now being given a hefty £250,000 contract, matching the sum earned by previous head judge Len Goodman.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Shirley was thrilled her salary was brought up to what Len Goodman was paid in the role of head judge.
"She couldn't see why she should get less than the person she replaced - especially after more than proving herself in her first year. It's a great victory for equal pay."
Shirley's pay rise means she will now earn the same as Bruno Tonioli, 62, whose higher pay cheque is in line with what he's paid for working on America's 'Dancing With the Stars'. Fellow judges Darcey Bussell, 48, and Craig Revel-Horwood, 53, both earn £180,000 for the show.
It was revealed earlier this month that Shirley would be returning to the show, but she previously admitted she wasn't sure whether or not she'd be asked back as she initially had a mixed response from viewers.
She said: "I've had the most spectacular time. There have been some things to get used to like Twitter and the press. But generally I've thoroughly enjoyed every minute of being on the show. As of yet, nothing has been decided. So we will wait and see...
"I'm quite a perfectionist. When I first came on and I had to judge the first show, it was terrifying. I take my job extremely seriously. You are totally under scrutiny. I go from week to week. I'm married to what I do. I think I did pretty good. I would probably give myself 'seven'. In anything you do there is room for improvement."
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