Strictly It Takes Two band ‘dropped’ after asking for payment

Strictly It Takes Two: Band claim they were ‘dropped’ from appearing on the spin-off show after they asked to be paid for their performance

  • The group of musicians have said they were told the BBC budget didn’t stretch
  • In an email the band were told they would receive a ‘free lunch’ and ‘exposure’
  • After requesting a rate agreed by the Musicians’ Union the band said they didn’t hear back for several days before being told they were no longer needed
  • MailOnline understands that the band were dropped over an editorial decision on the show, rather than their request for payment
  • A BBC spokesperson said: ‘Had they performed they would of course have been paid for their appearance’ 

A band who were due to appear on Strictly Come Dancing spin-off It Takes Two have claimed they were ‘dropped’ after refusing to appear without a fee.

The group of professional musicians, known as Amaraterra, have said they were told the BBC budget didn’t compensate for contributors on the programme.

In an email seen by the Guardian, the band were reportedly told that although they wouldn’t be given monetary payment, they would be offered a ‘free lunch’ and exposure for their band.

Dropped? A band who were due to appear on Strictly Come Dancing spin-off It Takes Two have claimed they were ‘dropped’ after refusing to appear without a fee (pictured Amaraterra)

The band, who play traditional southern Italian music, said they were asked to play while Nadiya Bychkova and Graziano Di Prima performed on the programme.

The programme is regularly hosted by presenters Zoe Ball and Rylan Clark-Neal, and takes a behind the scenes look at how rehearsals are going and interviews the contestants.

A member of the band, Cassandre Balosso-Bardin, told the publication that the band requested they paid them a rate agreed by the Musicians’ Union for session work as well as the additional practice hours they would have to do.

They said they didn’t hear back on their request for a few days and were later told they were no longer needed on the show.

It Takes Two! The programme is regularly hosted by presenter Zoe Ball

It Takes Two! The programme is regularly hosted by presenter Zoe Ball

Row:The band say they were asked to perform while Nadiya Bychkova and Graziano Di Prima performed (pictured)

Row:The band say they were asked to perform while Nadiya Bychkova and Graziano Di Prima performed (pictured)

MailOnline understands that the band were dropped over an editorial decision on the show, rather than their request for payment.

A BBC spokesperson said: ‘As we do with lots of artists, we discussed a proposed performance with Amaraterra for It Takes Two that ultimately didn’t happen for editorial reasons. Had they performed they would of course have been paid for their appearance.’

On Wednesday Amaraterra reposted the article on their Twitter account, and said: ‘Today, we decided to speak out for musicians… #WorknotPlay’

'No payment': In an email seen by the Guardian , the band were reportedly told that although they wouldn't be given monetary payment, they would be offered a 'free lunch' and exposure for their band

‘No payment’: In an email seen by the Guardian , the band were reportedly told that although they wouldn’t be given monetary payment, they would be offered a ‘free lunch’ and exposure for their band

Hosting duties: Rylan is also on the presenting team on the Strictly spin-off show

Hosting duties: Rylan is also on the presenting team on the Strictly spin-off show

Cassandre told the publication she was ‘tired’ of people in her industry being asked to work for nothing, especially given that gigs have dried up during the pandemic.

She said that the band haven’t been able to fund their latest album and feel guilty for charging their loyal fans for YouTube content, so decided not to.

She said: ‘Externally, people may think: wow, you made it, you got a showcase on Strictly! Is making it not getting paid for your expertise, for your specialist labour? Is making it getting your whole culture trod on, used for entertainment with no financial remuneration? Making it is finding the voice to fight for your art, even if you have to turn the bling down.’

What's going on? It takes a behind the scenes look at how rehearsals are going and interviews the contestants (pictured Caroline Quentin and Johannes Radebe)

What’s going on? It takes a behind the scenes look at how rehearsals are going and interviews the contestants (pictured Caroline Quentin and Johannes Radebe)

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk