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

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

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

However, while it has actually been assumed that Strictly specialists must make a pretty penny, and years of success, through their time on the show, for a lot of it’s a wholly different story.

Pros who have bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor in the last few years have shared their battles with stacking debts and cash problems, with some even dealing with the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the latest 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 just recently experienced are thought to have lagged their split.

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

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly’s popular dancers have actually wound up in debt – as Kristina Rihanoff’s monetary difficulties are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (pictured on the show in 2013)

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

However, in 2015, the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being struck by cash troubles, with Ben laying bare their monetary problems in court.

The level of the couple’s struggles were laid bare in unusual scenarios – during a court look last September when Kristina, 47, was caught driving without insurance.

Giving evidence during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, confessed he had actually bungled the handling of their automobile insurance coverage and told how he was ‘battling to save his relationship and home’.

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

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

The couple were entrusted crippling debts after they tilled every cent 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 combat not to lose everything – to lose my cars and my house and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being struck by cash problems, with Ben laying bare their monetary concerns in court (pictured in 2021)

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

‘We’re in organization together so the problem is that we opened business before Covid and we got the worst intensities of it and in all honestly this is simply another problem for me to handle.

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

The company was listed to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, but 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 successfully ₤ 6,633 in the red, taking into consideration future liabilities, in its last accounts for the period ending on July 31, 2020.

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

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 submitting accounts.

A fourth company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other individuals was also incorporated and voluntarily struck off on the exact same dates.

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

AJ Pritchard

AJ first rose to fame as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show just months before the Covid pandemic (visualized with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has because clarify the money troubles some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

AJ first increased to fame as a candidate on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show simply months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had formerly wanted to start a new period of dance success by leaving the program, the pandemic required him to cancel his organized dance trip, plunging himself and bro Curtis into financial obligation.

Speaking to MailOnline, AJ clarified the money concerns some Strictly stars can deal with after leaving the show.

He said: ‘We had a company where we were running our own trip and the trip was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers due to the fact that, personally, I seemed like that was the best thing to do. We ended 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 choice to be made, but that’s what it is when you are running your own business.

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

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

The dancer said: ‘I think a lot 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 believe transparency is a favorable thing in this day and age, however many people don’t actually wish to speak about their finances.

‘And I believe people are captivated by money. People enjoy to see numbers and love to see great things, and a great deal of times you need to live within your own means.’

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a number of huge money deals and AJ says some individuals have no idea how to manage that sort of sum of money.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a distinction’ and have actually set up ‘utilizing our own money’ a monetary investment firm called FINT to assist to ‘educate’ individuals.

AJ became very open about how often the TV bookings and photoshoots can suddenly stop and stars have to find out how to ‘adapt’ their career.

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

He continued: ‘It’s truly hard I believe in our market, the show business and a great deal of other markets right now due to the fact that a great deal of people are being laid off. It does play on your psychological health if you don’t have that next task.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested cash, from my extremely first pay check on Strictly I have actually constantly had actually that money invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work in 6 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 always jobs out there. It’s just sometimes needing to alter what it is you believe you are going to do and adjust a little bit. Adapting is difficult however you do need to adapt sometimes.

‘It is essential that individuals go into these huge programs that they’re delighting 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 various and is routinely snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s discovered the remarkable increase in daily products.

He explained: ‘Each and every single day I’m reminded truth. I pulled up at the gas pump today and the diesel was 10p more pricey due to choices that have been made much greater up than my paycheck. That’s the genuine world.

‘I was like, ‘What 10p more pricey from yesterday to today’, like that’s crazy. I believe people forget, the expense of living and inflation’s gone up.

‘Even when inflation comes down, it does not mean that it returns to what it was. Life is going to be tough for a great deal of individuals this year and I don’t think it’s going to get any easier.’

Robin Windsor

Despite drawing in an excellent ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately died with just ₤ 879 in his company’s company account

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

The dancer was discovered dead in a London hotel in February in 2015, and in the wake of his passing it was revealed his firm had actually 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 nearly ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, but owed lenders ₤ 15,000, suggesting 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 company and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the company, which was paid back.

The company had funnelled revenues from a ‘large range of contracts to provide carrying out arts services within the media industry’, documentation stated.

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

Robin formerly informed 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 some time (envisioned on the show in 2013)

He likewise remembered one time he earned ‘ridiculous money’, telling This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were when paid ₤ 10,000 each to remain in a high-end resort in Mauritius for a week and dance the cha-cha-cha at an occasion. Our dance lasted 2 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 generating income I had just dreamt about. I probably made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not just from Strictly but from work off the back of the show such as the tour and private efficiencies.

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

Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin stated he became so ‘bitter’ about not being permitted to return that he could not bear to watch it, and he entered into a ‘constant decline’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was drastically sacked by managers in 2015 following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous superstar 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 considered a preferred amongst Strictly fans, but last year he was significantly sacked by bosses following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later confirmed and regretted his actions against Zara.

Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘devastated’ Di Prima wrote on Instagram: ‘I deeply are sorry for the events that caused my departure from Strictly.

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

‘My intense passion and determination to win may have impacted my training routine.

‘While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s just best for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t allowed to use a quote to the online newspaper article, and I take on board the level of sensitivity of the situation.

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

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

The dancer charged $100 (₤ 78) for a video message, and continued to describe 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 thought about among 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 appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and likewise made a reported ₤ 200,000 charge for her stint on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For lots of fans, Oti is considered among Strictly’s most successful exports, with the dancer crowned series champ 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 in 2022, and considering that her exit has actually generated a huge fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

Since then, she has actually appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was likewise a panellist on The Masked Dancer, and BBC’s The best Dancer, adding 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 noted as a director of Pure Mabuse Limited, which she established with her husband Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has noted assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its most current accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money offer to collaborate with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence improving’ underwear variety, and she and husband Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London mansion.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of properties in four personal business, which they co-own. including the residential or commercial property company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in possessions as of in 2015.

And Oti has just added 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 fee.

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champ in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the program in 2020, has actually cashed in with a string of stage functions

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

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

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

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t always been simple, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his automobile while trying to kickstart his performing profession, while managing it with a workplace 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 then I can afford 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I invested loads of time oversleeping my vehicle – 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 task after job – regular workplace jobs, simply trying to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was generally searching in my wallet going, I have actually simply been fired from another job. I’ve got 4 lessons tomorrow; I already can’t spend for 2 of them.

‘I’m going to have to blag it with the teacher and state,” Oh, there’s been an issue at the bank. I’m going to have to offer 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 physical fitness website 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 two years lateer.

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

The couple have actually cashed in on their joint weight-loss recently, setting up a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe.

The set offered their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have actually since downsized to a home more ‘appropriate’ for their daughter Ella.

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC