Yes, obvious really. They were all lined up, negotiations almost completed, but contracts NOT signed. Then the money situation comes into focus, they pull out. At that point the BBC can quite truthfully state that they were not "signed into contract".

Blimey, it's all kicking off!

I wonder how ITV have got the money to give X-Factor more cash? In the face of this competition the Beeb can ill-afford the level of cuts we keep hearing about.

As much as both the pros and celebs are getting highly desirable publicity as well as their salaries from doing SCD, there is a going rate that's got to be met to keep/attract the talent to maintain the quality of the programme and it looks like the BBC are pushing their luck now.

It's a bit worrying Tangos, if the money is too tight, as popular as SCD is - money plays a factor, we could end up with some real 'Z' listers

Which means that I'm a celeb could really struggle

We could end up with people from BB on Strictly

I got in the local paper once, would that qualify me??

for I'm a Celeb perhaps.....

considering how much the programme can raise their profile I'm not surprised the BBC want to pay less to the celebs

I'm sure the pro's also make a nice wage out of the live tour , which when added to the strictly fee's must be a nice little earner, the pro's must be in the top level of dancers earnings, far more than without the profile of the show i'd guess

Hahahaha I was thinking the same!

Perhaps instead of celebs, the Beeb would like to allow some of us fans to take part (ie a bit like Celeb BB when they had the "non celeb Chantelle" in there.... (I personally would love to do it with any of the pro dancers and I would almost be prepared to do it for free!)

How about 10 good celebs and 6 fans....

Sorry but I just have to repeat myself - I am SO glad Sharon Osborne will not spoil SCD for me!

I appeared in a police pursuit video once...does that make me a celeb?

Wearing charity shop frocks.

btw I think we've seen a fair sprinkling of z listers over the years.

What with this and the Alesha Dixon business, is it just me who is getting a distinct 'sinking ship' feeling about the next series?

This is an interesting idea. Given that the majority of the professionals are becoming celebrities in their own right, the other celebs could be phazed out.

It's usually the dancers that I follow and not the celebs anyway.

However, the bbc should be pumping as much money into Strictly as is needed, surely it's their flagship show, so therefore they should pay what they feel people are worth to have them as part of the show and generate ratings.

I doubt either were gonna do it anyway - all a load of tabloid balls to begin with

you're not the only one I was worried poor old Anton would get lumbered with her

If they did that Bruce would be on peanuts.

"A BBC spokesperson has denied the allegations, but admitted that producers had held talks with Osbourne and Madeley."

I'd imagine Sharon might have thought it too risky to do SCD. Would she really want to annoy Simon Cowell and, by so doing, possibly jeopardise her ongoing position on America's Got Talent just for the sake of doing one series of SCD at low pay? On the other hand, if she ever leaves or is booted off AGT, then I can definitely see her doing SCD!

Ditto, now if they could just confirm Geri bloody Halliwell isn't appearing as well I can start to really look forward to this (and confirm Shane Warne is appearing, I find the thought of him doing it delicious )

This will cost Jay Hunt her job- and rightly so. She has made a complete mess of it

She showed arrogance and lack of thought by steamrollering her personal ideals on to the show.

And if pros are not signing their contracts then that is tantemount to going on strike

If it is true Hunt has steamrollered her cuts through- she obviously couldn't care less about the pros and the work they put in

She must go now

I never thought the celebs took part just for the money. Surely Sharon Osborne is a multi-millionaire.

She is not short of a bob or two

"Held talks" = "got a researcher to ring their agent, and then afterwards the tabloids to bloke smoke up their hole as to who might be on the show this year, even though Sharon's agent told them to piss off and they knew all along it'd end up as the usual ex-Eastender, washed up pop star, retired athlete and "veteran presenter" suspects"

Probably.

No, "he" would just think he's a good dancer.
Oh I dunno though, he did do a bit of dancing up and down the aisles at Tesco's didn't he?

Ditto right back at you for this post!