Bruce ForsythBruce Forsyth may quit Strictly Come Dancing following a BBC pay slash.

The 81-year-old presenter is one of several big Beeb stars who could face a 50% drop in wages.

Jonathan Ross, Jeremy Clarkson, Graham Norton and lovely, lovely Terry Wogan could also be budgeting more strictly over the coming months.

The pay cut news was broken at a briefing to staff by Mark Thompson, director general.

A mole at the meeting told the Daily Mirror: “"Mark Thompson made a long speech about the difficult situation the BBC was in…

He was trying to justify and explain why people are going to face really tough negotiations... It was a grim speech and many people in the room were shocked at how far the cuts will go.”

Although we don’t think Bruice will be on the breadline if he does face a big pay cut, it’d be sad to see him waltzing out of Strictly forever. Especially as Anton du Beke seems so keen to leap into his tap shoes.

Anton told The Sun: “"If Bruce didn't want to do it anymore and they approached me I'd say, 'Of course. I'd love to, thank you very much',"

We approached the BBC about Brucie’s potential departure and they seemed to think the twinkle-toed one may have begun the rumour himself. They said: “He always makes a joke about it to get attention on him.

It comes up every year and he hasn’t left yet.”

Celebrities rumoured to be taking part in the new series include boxer Joe Calzaghe, former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne, ex-EastEnders actress Kara Tointon and Richard and Judy.