Len Goodman demands Strictly pay rise

By Sean Hamilton Showbiz Editor, sundaymirror.co.uk 27/04/2008

Len Goodman (SM)

Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman is threatening to quit the show unless he gets a huge pay rise.

He has told bosses the £60,000 he gets for a series means it isn't worth the hassle of flying back from America - where he earns as much for judging just two episodes of the US version of the show. Host Bruce Forsyth already rakes in £75,000 an episode over here. Len, 66, currently juggles filming the finals of both shows - clocking up 12,000 air miles every week. A TV source said: "Len wore himself out trying to do both shows at the same time at the end of last year. He was leaving the BBC studio and catching the plane to Los Angeles. It is just not possible to carry on like that - unless the money makes it worth his while."

East End-born Goodman - a professional ballroom judge and teacher - has built up a big following on both sides of the Atlantic for his witty analysis and fruity comments.

A bbc spokesman said: "It is our policy not to discuss contracts."