Strictly Come Dancing was in turmoil last night as some of the show’s top stars quit.

Sharon Osbourne has been alleged to have walked out after her salary was slashed and Richard Madeley was another who is rumoured to have also left.

The walkouts came after BBC1 boss Jay Hunt insisted on a 30% reduction in costs this year.

Host Bruce Forsyth has taken a £160,000 cut from his £660,000 contract down to £500,000.

Producers also face a revolt from Strictly’s professional dancers, with some refusing to sign contracts because their £35,000 series fees are being

heavily cut. Aussie-born Ms Hunt, 43, sparked an ageism outcry after dumping popular Arlene Phillips, 66, from the panel in favour of former winner Alesha Dixon.

Hunt’s heavy-handed style is causing concern because she has upset several BBC stars and

executives since rejoining 18 months ago. At least three household names have been left shell-shocked after a dressing down from her.

One senior boss moaned: “Jay has no idea how to finesse a situation, especially with talent, and there’s a lot of disquiet.”

Sharon Osbourne, 57, was already concerned at Arlene’s brutal

treatment. But the paltry contract she was offered made up her mind.

“Sharon is a serious player in America’s Got Talent but what the BBC finally offered was ridiculous” said a pal. “And what happened to Arlene was a disgrace.”

By contrast, Strictly’s rival The X Factor has a bigger budget this year, with up to £6million extra to spend.

There could soon be a few choice words in the Beyonce-Jay-Z household. The richest man in rap has signed a megabucks deal to write a book on his life. I bet dinners in the dog will soon be staring an their house if he isn’t careful with his words..

It promises to be a warts-and-all account, which won’t impress his famously private wife Beyonce.

Says our bookworm: “It’s going to cover everything from his days on the streets as a drug dealer to his fairytale wedding to Beyonce.

“He’ll also be revealing his rapping secrets.”

He boasts of having spontaneous recording sessions, freestyling without writing his rhymes out first.

The book has no title or publication date yet but it will tie in with Jay’s next album, The Blue Print III, planned for September 11.

A few years back he shelved plans for an autobiography saying it was too personal and he wasn’t ready to share it with the world.

A spokesperson for Jay said: “It’s true. Jay-Z is writing a book.”

Hope he doesn’t get cold feet this time…

Shaheen Jafargholi has been picked by Simon Cowell to be the main support for Leona Lewis’s upcoming world tour.

The 12-year-old Welsh singer is reported to be “over the moon” to be get the gig after the Britain’s Got Talent finalist wowed the world with his performance at Michael Jackson’s memorial ceremony.

A source said: “Simon is convinced Shaheen can be a global superstar.”

Leona’s tour is planned to include 14 months of concerts, with the choreographer of Jacko’s London O2 arena gigs also on board