How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have actually Wound Up In Debt

For audiences tuning into BBC’s megahit Strictly Come Dancing, they would be right in presuming that its stars need to be making a large fortune.

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

However, while it has actually been presumed that Strictly specialists should make a quite cent, and years of success, through their time on the program, for most it’s a completely different story.

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

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the current stars to be struck by the infamous ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the severe monetary difficulties they had recently experienced are thought to have actually lagged their split.

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ paychecks to expose the fact about how for numerous, the cash stops as soon as the ballroom lights go dark …

Kristina Rihanoff

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

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

However, last year, the couple shared fears that they could lose their home after being hit by cash issues, with Ben laying bare their monetary issues in court.

The level of the couple’s struggles were laid bare in uncommon situations – throughout a court appearance 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 made a mess of the handling of their vehicle insurance policy and informed how he was ‘fighting to conserve his relationship and home’.

A friend of the couple informed the Mail he stated: ‘The past 6 months have been hell for them and it has actually torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their household, they have actually chosen to move forward as different people.

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

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

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

In 2015 the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being hit by money problems, with Ben laying bare their financial troubles in court (visualized in 2021)

When questioned about the pressures on his and Kristina’s relationship, he stated: ‘We’re still cohabiting. We remain in it financially.

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

‘I have actually got credit cards that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have got a company financial obligation because of Covid. It’s simply another issue.’

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

Records also reveal that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 percent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was efficiently ₤ 6,633 in the red, considering future liabilities, in its last represent the period ending on July 31, 2020.

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

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

A 4th company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other individuals was likewise included and willingly struck off on the same dates.

A fifth company called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 at a loss, taking into consideration future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are likewise almost 29 months past due, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

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

But AJ has given that clarify the cash troubles some Strictly stars can deal with, and shared that he was plunged into debt when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

AJ initially increased to fame as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had actually formerly intended to start a new era of dance success by leaving the program, the pandemic forced him to cancel his organized dance tour, plunging himself and brother Curtis into financial obligation.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ shed light on the cash concerns some Strictly stars can deal with after leaving the show.

He stated: ‘We had a company where we were running our own tour and the trip was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers because, personally, I seemed like that was the best thing to do. We wound up with a VAT expense which came out of our own pocket.

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

‘They certainly did appreciate it. I possibly didn’t appreciate the financial obligation that I was left in however, hey, it’s a decision that was made.’

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his friends believe he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, however, he discussed that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he makes is nowhere near that.

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

‘I think transparency is a positive thing in this day and age, however many people do not truly wish to discuss their finances.

‘And I think individuals are interested by cash. People like to see numbers and like to see great things, and a lot of times you require to live within your own ways.’

After leaving shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a variety of big cash offers and AJ says some people have no idea how to deal with that sort of sum of cash.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘want to make a distinction’ and have established ‘using our own money’ a financial investment business called FINT to assist to ‘educate’ people.

AJ ended up being extremely open about how often the TV bookings and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars have to discover how to ‘adapt’ their career.

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

He continued: ‘It’s really difficult I believe in our market, the show business and a lot of other markets today since a great deal of individuals are being laid off. It does play on your mental health if you do not have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested money, from my very first salary on Strictly I have actually always had actually that money invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a task in six months time, I do have money there that I can draw on if I need it.

‘And at the end of the day, there are constantly tasks out there. It’s just in some cases having to alter what it is you believe you are going to do and adapt a bit. Adapting is difficult however you do need to adapt often.

‘It is very important that individuals go into these huge programs that they’re taking pleasure in but 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, individuals are dealing with the cost of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no different and is regularly snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s seen the remarkable increase in daily products.

He explained: ‘Each and every single day I’m reminded truth. I brought up at the fuel pump today and the diesel was 10p more costly due to choices that have been made much greater up than my income. That’s the real life.

‘I was like, ‘What 10p more costly from the other day to today’, like that’s insane. I believe people forget, the cost of living and inflation’s increased.

‘Even when inflation boils down, it doesn’t mean that it returns to what it was. Life is going to be difficult for a great deal of people this year and I don’t believe it’s going to get any easier.’

Robin Windsor

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

Despite pulling in an outstanding ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically died with just ₤ 879 in his business’s business account.

The dancer was found 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 some time and according to Companies House Records was facing an ‘active proposal’ to be struck off.

The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed almost ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, however owed lenders ₤ 15,000, indicating 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 company, which was paid back.

The business had actually channelled incomes from a ‘broad variety of contracts to offer performing arts services within the media market’, paperwork stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been dealing with a Fred Olsen Cruise – alongside fellow Strictly professional Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and published 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 pertained to an end after the 12th series in 2014.

The dancer was discovered dead in a London hotel in February, and in the wake of his passing it was revealed his company had not traded for a long time (imagined on the show in 2013)

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

He remembered in September 2022 that the ‘best’ year of his monetary life was 2010, ‘my very first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He stated: ‘Suddenly, I was earning cash I had actually only dreamt about. I probably made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not just 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, everybody desires a little slice of you.’

Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin stated he ended up being so ‘bitter’ about not being enabled to return that he couldn’t bear to see it, and he went into a ‘steady decrease’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

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

Following his departure from the show, Graziano attempted to cash on his looks on the show, with personalised video messages on Cameo

Graziano was once thought about a favourite amongst Strictly fans, but last year he was dramatically sacked by bosses following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous celeb partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later on confirmed and regretted his actions against Zara.

Addressing his exit from the program, a ‘devastated’ Di Prima composed on Instagram: ‘I deeply regret the occasions that caused my departure from Strictly.

Strictly Come Dancing abundant list: The expert dancers waltzing all the way to the bank after earning MILLIONS thanks to the program

‘My intense passion and determination to win might have impacted my training regime.

‘While respecting the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s only ideal 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 newspaper article, and I take on board the level of sensitivity of the scenario.

‘There’s more to this story that I am not able to go over at this time, but I am dedicated to being strong for my friends and family. I want the Strictly family absolutely nothing however success in the future.’

Following his departure from the show, 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 ‘professional dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For many fans, Oti is thought about one of Strictly’s most effective exports, with the dancer crowned series champ for 2 years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

Ever since, she has actually appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and likewise earned a reported ₤ 200,000 cost for her stint on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For lots of fans, Oti is considered one of 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 salary before she left the show in 2022, and given that her exit has collected a big fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

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

Before joining the Strictly lineup, Oti also 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 partner Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has listed properties of ₤ 510,953, according to its newest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money deal to collaborate with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence enhancing’ underclothing range, and she and spouse Marius likewise share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of properties in four personal companies, which they co-own. consisting of the home company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in possessions since in 2015.

And Oti has actually only added to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! where she was reportedly paid a ₤ 200,000 fee.

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champion in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the show in 2020, has actually cashed in with a string of stage roles

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his cars and truck while attempting to kickstart his performing profession

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

His firm Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its most current possessions with ₤ 42,234 staying after expenses.

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t always been easy, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his automobile while attempting to start his performing profession, while juggling it with an office job.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he said: ‘If there’s no one there, I’ll oversleep my cars and truck and after that I can manage 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I invested loads of time sleeping in my car – basically 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 just getting fired from task after task – normal workplace tasks, simply attempting to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was essentially searching in my wallet going, I’ve just been fired from another task. I’ve got four lessons tomorrow; I already can’t spend for 2 of them.

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

Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually capitalized their joint weight reduction in the last few years, establishing a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his better half Ola doing the same 2 years lateer.

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

The couple have capitalized their joint weight reduction over the last few years, setting up a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe.

The pair sold their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have actually because downsized to a home more ‘suitable’ for their child 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 additional money by offering signed photos for ₤ 9.50 while Ola uses dance lessons to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC