Craig Revel Horwood has inked a new 12-month contract to deliver tongue lashings on Strictly Come Dancing .
The acerbic judge has been on the hit BBC show since it started in 2004 and insiders say his pay is now being boosted from £180,000 to £200,000.
Head judge Shirley Ballas, 59, is on £250,000, as is 64-year-old Bruno Tomioli – who has also been a fixture since the competition’s first outing.
It is not known what new judge Motsi Mabuse’s earns – but she said she did not care about the cash when she signed up.
Craig spoke about his new contract at a gala dinner this week for the Royal Osteoporosis Society, where he is a patron.
The 54-year-old said: “I have just signed for another year and I am looking forward to it. I have no intention of leaving.
"As I have said, the only reason I would only leave if I was told I could not speak my mind. I haven’t been told that, so I am staying.”
He also told how he is releasing an album, following in the footsteps of Bruno. Craig said: “I have an album coming out soon. A duets album. It is coming out next year. It is with a lady called Rietta Austin.
“I am going to be singing three new songs written by Rietta and myself and some cover versions.
"I am doing it as we have always wanted to do it. I like to think I can sing. I would say leave that to the audience to decide.”
But he insisted he is not out to take on Bruno in the charts. Craig said: “I am not doing it because Bruno might have something coming out.
“Don’t worry, there will be no chart battle.
“I have been in the business quite a long time now and I just love singing, and I have decided to do an album.
“I have sang before, in the panto. The album has been recorded.”
