STRICTLY STARS' 'DANGER MONEY'

Line-up's grim joke about fees after series of scandals rocks dance show

- BY TOM BRYANT

CELEBRITIES on this year's Strictly Come Dancing are joking that their fees to take part amount to “danger money” given the show's shaky reputation.

In recent years, the hit BBC programme has been beset by controversy over the behaviour of dancers Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice, as well as by contestant Wynne Evans.

The agent of one celebrity in this year's lineup said: “Everyone is a little more mindful about the fact that things can blow up - and one misstep is all it takes.

“Last year Wynne Evans came under immense pressure, while the previous year Amanda Abbingdon said she had a torrid time [with Pernice]. The phrase 'danger money' has been bandied about.”