Strictly Come Dancing star Craig Revel Horwood is reportedly "poised to quit" the show in a row over money after his controversial comments about Stacey Dooley.
The judge is set to sign a new contract at the end of the 2019 series, but now Mail On Sunday reports he's likely to walk away.
The publication states Craig, 54, is unlikely to get the pay rise he wants following recent controversies.
A source said: "When his contract runs out at the end of this series, there are questions over whether he will sign again.
"He wants to do work in the theatre and it's now unlikely that the BBC would pay him what he wants – or indeed feels he deserves – especially after the controversy he has prompted over the last few years."
Craig was caught on tape making a cruel jibe at the expense of 2018 winner Stacey, who met boyfriend Kevin Clifton on the show.
He said: "Stacey was dragged up from the dance gutter… of course, if you sleep with your dance partner that helps."
Craig was reportedly berated by Strictly bosses, who ordered him to apologise.
He later issued a grovelling apology, which read: “I’m deeply sorry for the offence caused to Kevin and Stacey and everyone who works on the show.
“I recognise that what I said was hurtful, cruel and incredibly disrespectful. It was a huge error of judgment that I very much regret.”
The Mirror later exclusively revealed Craig had slipped up again by making another dig at Kevin and Stacey.
Soeaking the Big the Musical premiere in London, he gushed: “Kevin is having a lovely relationship with Stacey. They really love each other and I think it is fantastic.”
“It is the Strictly blessing rather than the curse. It is not a curse when two people get together.”
Scoffing at the idea Kevin, 36, had been paired with a celebrity unlikely to win as a penalty for dating Stacey, Craig insisted: “I don’t think it was a punishment. He is probably the only one who is going to get Anneka [Rice] to round two.
“I hope he is going to wave his magic wand...”
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