How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have actually Ended up In Debt

For audiences tuning into BBC’s megahit Strictly Come Dancing, they would be ideal in assuming that its stars must be making a large fortune.

Whether it be the vigorous hours of training, or being an on-screen component for weeks on end, the show’s expert dancers have assisted make the series a fascinating watch throughout the autumn months.

However, while it has actually been assumed that Strictly experts should make a pretty cent, and years of success, through their time on the program, for many it’s a completely various story.

Pros who have bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor over the last few years have shared their battles with piling debts and cash troubles, with some even facing the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the most recent stars to be struck by the notorious ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the severe monetary troubles they had recently experienced are believed to have actually lagged their split.

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ paychecks to reveal the reality about how for lots of, the cash stops as soon as the ballroom lights go dark …

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly’s popular dancers have wound up in financial obligation – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial troubles are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (envisioned on the program in 2013)

Kristina formerly appeared on Strictly as an expert from 2008 to 2015, making headings when she began a love with her celeb partner Ben Cohen.

However, last year, the couple shared fears that they might lose their home after being hit by money issues, with Ben laying bare their financial concerns in court.

The degree of the couple’s battles were laid bare in uncommon circumstances – throughout a court look last September when Kristina, 47, was caught driving without insurance.

Giving proof during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, admitted he had actually mishandled the handling of their vehicle insurance policy and told how he was ‘combating to save his relationship and home’.

A buddy of the couple told the Mail he stated: ‘The past six months have been hell for them and it has torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their household, they have actually selected to move forward as different individuals.

‘Those near to them who understand them as a couple had hoped they would be able to work things out but for now it’s over and it appears like there’s no going back.’

The couple were entrusted crippling financial obligations after they ploughed every cent they had into a yoga studio which plunged into crisis throughout the Covid pandemic.

In a tortuously frank admission Ben told the court: ‘I get up every day and I fight not to lose whatever – to lose my vehicles and my house and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared fears that they could lose their home after being struck by cash concerns, with Ben laying bare their financial woes in court (pictured in 2021)

When questioned about the stress on his and Kristina’s relationship, he said: ‘We’re still cohabiting. We’re in it economically.

‘We’re in organization together so the issue is that we opened the company before Covid and we got the worst intensities of it and in all truthfully this is simply another issue for me to deal with.

‘I have actually got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got a business debt due to the fact that of Covid. It’s just another problem.’

The business was noted to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, but the action was suspended nine days later and discontinued on April 28, 2023.

Records also expose that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was successfully ₤ 6,633 at a loss, taking into consideration future liabilities, in its last represent the period ending on July 31, 2020.

The business’s accounts for the year ending in July 2021 have still not been submitted and are now nearly 29 months overdue.

Another company called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is also owned by the Soo Yoga Group, was established in December 2021 and liquified by a voluntary strike off in February this year without ever submitting accounts.

A 4th business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other individuals was also included and voluntarily struck off on the very same dates.

A 5th business called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 at a loss, taking into liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are also nearly 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ first increased to popularity as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show simply months before the Covid pandemic (imagined with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has since shed light on the cash issues some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

AJ initially rose to fame as an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show just months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had actually formerly hoped to start a brand-new era of dance success by departing the program, the pandemic required him to cancel his scheduled dance tour, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into financial obligation.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ shed light on the cash issues some Strictly stars can face after leaving the program.

He said: ‘We had a company where we were running our own trip and the trip was cut brief. We paid all of our dancers due to the fact that, personally, I seemed like that was the ideal thing to do. We wound up with a VAT costs which came out of our own pocket.

‘We didn’t get paid, myself or Curtis, but we paid all of our dancers. It’s a tough choice to be made, however that’s what it is when you are running your own company.

‘They absolutely did value it. I possibly didn’t value the debt that I was left in however, hello, it’s a decision that was made.’

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his good friends think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, however, he explained that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he earns is nowhere near that.

The dancer said: ‘I believe a great deal of people anticipate you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and quickly be a millionaire. Once you’ve paid your tax and your VAT, and if you’re a restricted company, that’s not even close.

‘I believe openness is a favorable thing in this day and age, however most people do not actually want to talk about their financial resources.

‘And I think individuals are captivated by money. People like to see numbers and like to see great things, and a great deal of times you require to live within your own methods.’

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a number of huge money deals and AJ states some people have no idea how to manage that kind of amount of money.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘desire to make a distinction’ and have set up ‘using our own money’ a financial investment firm called FINT to help to ‘educate’ individuals.

AJ ended up being extremely open about how in some cases the TV reservations and photoshoots can suddenly stop and stars need to discover how to ‘adjust’ their profession.

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his friends think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, as after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he earns is nowhere near that

He continued: ‘It’s truly tough I think in our market, the show business and a great deal of other markets right now due to the fact that a lot of individuals are being laid off. It does use your mental health if you don’t have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have actually invested cash, from my really first wage on Strictly I have actually constantly had that money invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work in six months time, I do have cash there that I can make use of if I need it.

‘And at the end of the day, there are always tasks out there. It’s just in some cases needing to change what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a little bit. Adapting is hard but you do need to adjust in some cases.

‘It’s important that people go into these huge programs that they’re enjoying however they have a profession behind them like myself and Curt. We’re both expert dancers, we can go all over the world and teach.’

Every day, people are facing the cost of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no various and is routinely snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s observed the dramatic boost in everyday products.

He discussed: ‘Every day I’m reminded reality. I brought up at the gas pump today and the diesel was 10p more pricey due to choices that have actually been made much higher up than my paycheck. That’s the real life.

‘I resembled, ‘What 10p more expensive from the other day to today’, like that’s insane. I think people forget, the cost of living and inflation’s gone up.

‘Even when inflation boils down, it does not imply that it goes back to what it was. Life is going to be hard for a great deal of people this year and I do not think it’s going to get any simpler.’

Robin Windsor

Despite drawing in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically died with just ₤ 879 in his business’s business account

Despite drawing in an impressive ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately passed away with just ₤ 879 in his business’s service account.

The dancer was discovered dead in a London hotel in February last year, and in the wake of his passing it was exposed his company had not traded for a long time and according to Companies House Records was facing an ‘active proposal’ to be struck off.

The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed nearly ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, however owed creditors ₤ 15,000, meaning it was ₤ 8,350 in the red.

At the height of his celebrity in 2015 and 2016 he held more than ₤ 23,000 in the business and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the business, which was repaid.

The company had carried earnings from a ‘wide range of contracts to provide carrying out arts services within the media industry’, documents stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been working on a Fred Olsen Cruise – alongside fellow Strictly professional Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and posted photos of himself when the boat docked in South Africa.

Robin formerly told how he was paid ₤ 100,000 a year during his time on Strictly which came to an end after the 12th series in 2014.

The dancer was found dead in a London hotel in February, and in the wake of his passing it was revealed his firm had not traded for a long time (pictured on the program in 2013)

He likewise remembered one time he made ‘silly money’, informing This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were as soon as paid ₤ 10,000 each to stay in a luxury resort in Mauritius for a week and dance the cha-cha-cha at an occasion. Our dance lasted two minutes.’

He kept in mind in September 2022 that the ‘finest’ year of his financial life was 2010, ‘my first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He said: ‘Suddenly, I was making money I had actually only dreamt about. I most likely made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not simply from Strictly but from work off the back of the program such as the trip and personal efficiencies.

‘When you’re on prime-time TV, everyone wants a little piece of you.’

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin said he became so ‘bitter’ about not being allowed to return that he could not bear to watch it, and he went into a ‘steady decline’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was dramatically sacked by employers last year following claims of gross misconduct towards his former celeb partner Zara McDermott

Following his departure from the program, Graziano tried to cash on his appearances on the program, with personalised video messages on Cameo

Graziano was as soon as thought about a preferred amongst Strictly fans, however last year he was significantly sacked by employers following claims of gross misconduct towards his former celeb partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later verified and regretted his actions versus Zara.

Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘devastated’ Di Prima wrote on Instagram: ‘I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly.

Strictly Come Dancing abundant list: The professional dancers waltzing all the method to the bank after earning MILLIONS thanks to the show

‘My intense enthusiasm and determination to win may have affected my training regime.

‘While respecting the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s only best for the sake of the program that I step away. I am distressed that I wasn’t enabled to offer a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the level of sensitivity of the situation.

‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my friends and family. I wish the Strictly family absolutely nothing but success in the future.’

Following his departure from the program, Graziano attempted to cash on his appearances on the program, with personalised video messages on Cameo.

The dancer charged $100 (₤ 78) for a video message, and continued to refer to himself as a ‘expert dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have actually capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For numerous fans, Oti is considered among Strictly’s most successful exports, with the dancer crowned series champion for 2 years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

Ever since, she has actually looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and also earned a reported ₤ 200,000 cost for her stint on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! last year

For numerous fans, Oti is considered among Strictly’s most successful exports, with the dancer crowned series champion for 2 years in a row, in 2019 and 2020.

The dancer was reported to be on a ₤ 410,000 wage before she left the show in 2022, and given that her exit has actually accumulated a substantial fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Ever since, she has actually looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was also a panellist on The Masked Dancer, and BBC’s The best Dancer, contributing to a rumoured fortune of more than ₤ 1.4 million.

Before joining the Strictly lineup, Oti likewise worked as an expert dancer on Strictly’s German equivalent, Let’s Dance.

Oti is listed as a director of Pure Mabuse Limited, which she established with her hubby Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has actually listed properties of ₤ 510,953, according to its most recent accounts.

In 2022, Oti also signed a big-money deal to work together with Bravissimo on a ‘self-confidence boosting’ underclothing variety, and she and husband Marius likewise share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in 4 personal companies, which they co-own. including the property firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in possessions since in 2015.

And Oti has just contributed to her fortune in current months by appearing on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! where she was supposedly paid a ₤ 200,000 charge.

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champ in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the program in 2020, has moneyed in with a string of phase roles

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t always been easy, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his car while trying to start his carrying out profession

Since leaving Strictly in 2020, Kevin Clifton has actually taken to the stage, performing in Strictly Ballroom, Rock of Ages and War of the Worlds.

His firm Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its latest possessions with ₤ 42,234 remaining after expenses.

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his vehicle while trying to kickstart his performing profession, while juggling it with an office task.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he stated: ‘If there’s no one there, I’ll oversleep my cars and truck and after that I can afford two of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I invested loads of time sleeping in my vehicle – generally living out of my automobile – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People think we live these simple, showbiz, glamorous lives and it’s not like that.

‘There’s been times where I was simply getting fired from task after task – regular office tasks, just attempting to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was essentially looking in my wallet going, I’ve just been fired from another task. I have actually got 4 lessons tomorrow; I currently can’t spend for 2 of them.

‘I’m going to have to blag it with the teacher and state,” Oh, there’s been a problem at the bank. I’m going to need to give you the cash on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have cashed in on their joint weight loss in the last few years, setting up a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his better half Ola following suit two years lateer.

James has actually appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, returned a couple of years later on for the All Stars version and won Dancing On Ice in 2019.

The couple have cashed in on their joint weight loss in recent years, establishing a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe.

The pair sold their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have because scaled down to a home more ‘appropriate’ for their daughter Ella.

Much of their earnings is funnelled through their company James and Ola Dance Academy which most just recently had ₤ 774,023 in possessions and ₤ 465,002 after expenses.

They earn money by offering signed pictures for ₤ 9.50 while Ola offers dance lessons to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC