PAY SCANDAL ERUPTS

It’s the series that gives some of our most embattled personalities a second chance. Schapelle Corby, Sam Burgess, and this season, Wayne Carey, have all put themselves on the line in a bid for redemption on SAS Australia.

However, New Idea can reveal it’s not the only incentive that sees the headline-makers lining up. Insiders say AFL legend Wayne was paid $250,000 – roughly $100,000 more than NRL great Sam.

Details of the extraordinary payday are said to have been disclosed at a recent dinner attended by SAS contestants in Bondi after filming wrapped. Wayne is said to have agreed to pick up the bill, believed to be several thousand dollars, according to insiders, who say when the cheque came, guests politely threw in their credit cards on the table before Wayne declared his monster salary and paid for everything.

Channel 7’s quasi-military series has managed to rack up a mighty bill of its own, with network insiders telling it’s spent “millions” on talent fees to cast for the series.

Will Wayne’s time on the series be enough to turn public opinion?

Sam Burgess (left) and Schapelle Corby (right) were also paid well.