STAND-IN Strictly judge Anton du Beke has trebled his wage after replacing Bruno Tonioli on the show’s panel.

The Sun understands Anton, 54, is set to bag between £175,000 and £200,000 — up from around £65,000 as a pro dancer.

The ballroom veteran had been tipped for years to be on the judging panel, and had a previous unsuccessful audition.

A show source said: “As much as Anton has publicly denied he has been vying for this job, he most certainly has. And this is a big reason why.

“He and many of the other dancers felt that they were underpaid but now he can’t complain. Anton won’t earn as much as Bruno due to experience but he will still be paid handsomely.”

Bruno, 65, is normally paid £250,000 for a full series but Covid travel restrictions reduced it by half last year. He could only make appearances via video from the States where he films Dancing With The Stars.

The Italian, who has been a judge on the show since 2004, revealed last week he would not be part of this year’s show.

Anton will now join head judge Shirley Ballas, 60, Craig Revel Horwood, 56, and Motsi Mabuse, 40.

He said: “Everybody knows how much I love the show, so just being involved is an enormous thrill every year. To be asked to come in and judge for this year, I’m so delighted.”

Anton revealed he auditioned to replace ex-head judge Len Goodman, 77, in 2017 after he quit the year before. He said: “I did a screen test last time when Len left.”

BBC Studios did not comment.

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