Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has reignited the gender pay debate by suggesting that head judge Shirley Ballas should be paid less due to her lack of television experience. Horwood told The Sun that Ballas's contribution to the show was not 'comparable' to that of her predecessor, Len Goodman.
Ballas took over as head judge last year, and her salary has not been disclosed. Last year, it was revealed that Goodman and fellow judge Bruno Tonioli earned between £200,000 and £250,000, while Horwood and Darcey Bussell earned between £150,000 and £200,000. Horwood argued that a newcomer should start on a lower salary, saying: 'You'd expect she would start on something lower because she's never been on TV before.'
Former judge Arlene Phillips backed Horwood's comments, expressing support for equal pay 'but also for experience'. She called on Strictly to implement a pay system similar to West End shows, where pay increases annually based on experience. 'Craig has been there for a long time and I think he deserves every penny,' she said.
Ballas's agent told the BBC she would be making no comment on the matter.
