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

For viewers tuning into BBC’s megahit Strictly Come Dancing, they would be best in assuming that its stars should be making a hefty fortune.

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

However, while it has actually been presumed that Strictly professionals should make a quite cent, and years of success, through their time on the show, for many it’s an entirely various story.

Pros who have bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor in current years have shared their struggles with piling financial obligations and money woes, 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 extreme monetary problems they had recently experienced are thought to have actually been behind their split.

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

Kristina Rihanoff

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

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

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

The degree of the couple’s struggles were laid bare in unusual circumstances – throughout a court appearance last September when Kristina, 47, was captured driving without insurance.

Giving proof throughout the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, confessed he had mishandled the handling of their cars and truck insurance coverage and informed how he was ‘combating to conserve his relationship and home’.

A friend of the couple informed the Mail he said: ‘The previous 6 months have actually been hell for them and it has torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their family, they have actually picked to move forward as separate individuals.

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

The couple were left with crippling financial obligations after they tilled every penny they had into a yoga studio which plunged into crisis during 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 vehicles 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 concerns, with Ben laying bare their financial troubles in court (pictured in 2021)

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

in business together so the problem is that we opened business before Covid and we got the worst severities of it and in all truthfully this is just another issue for me to deal with.

‘I’ve got credit cards that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have got a company debt due to the fact that of Covid. It’s simply another issue.’

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

Records also expose that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 percent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was effectively ₤ 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 actually still not been submitted and are now nearly 29 months past due.

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

A fourth company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other individuals was likewise integrated 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, considering future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are also almost 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ initially increased to fame as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply months before the Covid pandemic (envisioned with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has given that shed light on the cash woes 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 an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had actually previously wanted to kickstart a brand-new era of dance success by leaving the show, the pandemic required him to cancel his organized dance tour, plunging himself and bro Curtis into debt.

Speaking with MailOnline, AJ clarified the cash problems some Strictly stars can face after leaving the show.

He stated: ‘We had a company where we were running our own trip and the tour was cut short. We paid all of our dancers since, personally, I seemed like that was the best thing to do. We wound up with a barrel bill 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 hard choice 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 debt that I was left in but, hello, it’s a choice that was made.’

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his 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 think a great deal of individuals anticipate you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and instantly be a millionaire. Once you have actually paid your tax and your VAT, and if you’re a minimal business, that’s not even close.

‘I think openness is a favorable thing in this day and age, but many people don’t actually want to discuss their financial resources.

‘And I believe people are intrigued by money. People like to see numbers and like to see good things, and a great deal of times you require to live within your own ways.’

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a number of big money offers and AJ says some individuals have no concept how to deal with that type of amount of cash.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a difference’ and have actually established ‘utilizing our own money’ a financial investment business called FINT to help to ‘educate’ people.

AJ ended up being very open about how often the TV bookings and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars need to find out how to ‘adjust’ their career.

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his pals think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, as after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he makes is no place near that

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

‘Myself and Curtis have invested cash, from my extremely first salary on Strictly I’ve constantly had actually that money invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a job in six months time, I do have cash there that I can draw on if I need it.

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

‘It is necessary that people enter into these huge shows that they’re taking pleasure in but they have a profession behind them like myself and Curt. We’re both professional dancers, we can go all over the world and teach.’

Every day, individuals are facing the cost of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no different and is routinely snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s seen the dramatic boost in daily products.

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

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

‘Even when inflation comes down, it does not indicate that it goes back to what it was. Life is going to be hard for a lot of individuals this year and I don’t think it’s going to get any simpler.’

Robin Windsor

Despite pulling in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately passed away with simply ₤ 879 in his company’s service account

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

The dancer was found dead in a London hotel in February last year, and in the wake of his passing it was revealed his firm had not traded for some time and according to Companies House Records was facing an ‘active proposition’ to be struck off.

The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed almost ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, but owed lenders ₤ 15,000, meaning it was ₤ 8,350 in the red.

At the height of his star in 2015 and 2016 he held more than ₤ 23,000 in the company and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the company, which was paid back.

The business had directed profits from a ‘wide array of contracts to provide performing arts services within the media market’, documentation 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 posted images of himself when the boat docked in South Africa.

Robin previously told how he was paid ₤ 100,000 a year throughout 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 actually not traded for a long time (pictured on the program in 2013)

He also remembered one time he made ‘ridiculous money’, informing This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were when paid ₤ 10,000 each to remain 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 monetary life was 2010, ‘my first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He stated: ‘All of an unexpected, I was making money I had 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 private performances.

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

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin said he became so ‘bitter’ about not being enabled to return that he couldn’t bear to watch it, and he entered into a ‘constant decrease’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was drastically sacked by bosses in 2015 following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former celebrity partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was when thought about a preferred amongst Strictly fans, however in 2015 he was significantly sacked by managers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later confirmed and regretted his actions against Zara.

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

Strictly Come Dancing rich list: The expert dancers waltzing all the method to the bank after making MILLIONS thanks to the show

‘My intense enthusiasm and decision to win may have impacted my training routine.

‘While appreciating the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am distressed that I wasn’t permitted to provide a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the level of sensitivity of the scenario.

‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to go over at this time, however I am devoted to being strong for my friends and family. I wish the Strictly household nothing however success in the future.’

Following his departure from the show, Graziano attempted to cash on his looks 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 capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For many fans, Oti is thought about one of Strictly’s most successful exports, with the dancer crowned series champion for two 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 fee for her stint on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

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

The dancer was reported to be on a ₤ 410,000 wage before she left the program in 2022, and considering that her exit has generated a huge fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

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

Before signing up with the Strictly lineup, Oti also worked as an expert dancer on Strictly’s German equivalent, Let’s Dance.

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

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money deal to team up with Bravissimo on a ‘self-confidence enhancing’ underclothing range, and she and partner Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London mansion.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in 4 private companies, which they co-own. consisting of the property firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in properties as of in 2015.

And Oti has just included to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Celebrity 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 show in 2020, has cashed in with a string of phase functions

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

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

His firm Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its latest properties with ₤ 42,234 staying after costs.

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t always been easy, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his automobile while attempting to start his carrying out career, while juggling it with a workplace task.

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

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

‘There’s been times where I was just getting fired from job after job – normal workplace jobs, simply trying to sustain my dancer profession.

‘I was basically searching in my wallet going, I’ve simply been fired from another job. I have actually got 4 lessons tomorrow; I already can’t pay for two of them.

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

Business: James and Ola Jordan have capitalized their joint weight reduction in current years, establishing 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 fit two years lateer.

James has 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 capitalized their joint weight loss over the last few years, establishing a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe.

The pair sold their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have actually considering that scaled down to a home more ‘ideal’ for their child Ella.

Much of their income is funnelled through their firm James and Ola Dance Academy which most recently had ₤ 774,023 in possessions and ₤ 465,002 after bills.

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC