How Much Do The Strictly Professionals Get Paid

So, there I was, at the local pub, minding my own business, when the topic of Strictly Come Dancing came up. You know, the show where celebrities try to out-twirl each other for our entertainment. Anyway, one of my mates, let's call him Dave (because that's his name), turns to me and says, "You know what I've always wondered? How much do those professional dancers actually get paid?"

And you know what? I had no idea. I mean, I've seen them dance, I've cheered them on, but I've never stopped to think about what they're taking home. So, I decided to do some digging. And guess what? It's not as straightforward as you might think. But hey, let's give it a go, shall we?

First Things First: The Prize Money

Alright, so the winning couple takes home a shiny trophy and a cheque for £100,000. Not bad, right? But here's the thing, that money is split between the celebrity and their professional partner. So, it's not like the pros are rolling in it after one season.

As for the other pros, they don't get a penny from the prize money. They're just happy to have made it to the final. Well, I assume they are. They might be secretly plotting a Strictly heist, but I doubt it. They've got better things to do, like practicing their lifts.

Now, Let's Talk Salary

Here's where it gets a bit tricky. The professionals' salaries aren't public knowledge. The BBC keeps that info under lock and key. But, we can make some educated guesses, thanks to some leaks and a bit of detective work.

It's believed that the top pros, like Stacey Dooley's partner Kevin Clifton or Oti Mabuse, can earn around £50,000 to £60,000 a series. But remember, that's just for the show. They also make money from appearances, teaching classes, and selling merchandise.

At the other end of the scale, the newer pros might start on around £30,000. But again, that's just an estimate. The BBC isn't exactly handing out pay stubs to the press.

How much do the Strictly 2019 judges, contestants and professionals get

But Wait, There's More

Here's where it gets interesting. The pros don't just dance for the love of it (although, let's face it, that's a big part of it). They also make money from the live tours. These tours happen every year after the show, and the pros get a cut of the ticket sales. How much? Well, that's a secret too. But it's enough to make the tours a pretty lucrative gig.

And then there are the endorsements. You've seen them, the ads for sportswear, dance schools, and energy drinks featuring our favorite pros. They're not doing that for free, you know. They're getting paid, and it's not pocket change either.

So, How Much Do They Really Make?

Alright, so let's do some math. If a top pro makes around £50,000 from the show, plus another £50,000 from the tour and endorsements, that's £100,000 in a year. Not bad, right? But remember, that's just an estimate, and it's before tax. And they've got to pay for their own sequins, which can't be cheap.

And let's not forget the newer pros. They might not be rolling in it, but they're still doing pretty well. They're on TV, they're dancing, and they're making a decent living. Not many of us can say that.

So, there you have it. The Strictly pros aren't exactly rolling in cash, but they're doing alright. And hey, they're making our Saturday nights a lot more fun, so I'd say it's worth it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some sequins to buy.