How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Wound Up In Debt

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

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

However, while it has been assumed that Strictly professionals need to make a quite cent, and years of success, through their time on the program, for the majority of it’s a wholly various story.

Pros who have actually bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor recently have shared their struggles with stacking financial obligations and money woes, with some even dealing with the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the most recent stars to be hit by the notorious ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the serious monetary problems they had actually just recently experienced are thought to have been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ paychecks to expose 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 actually ended 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 love with her celeb partner Ben Cohen.

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

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

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

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

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

The couple were left with crippling debts after they tilled every penny 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 everything – 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 money troubles, with Ben laying bare their monetary troubles in court (imagined in 2021)

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

‘We stay in business together so the issue is that we opened the company before Covid and we got the worst severities of it and in all truthfully this is just another issue for me to handle.

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

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

Records also reveal that a food services company called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was successfully ₤ ۶,۶۳۳ at a loss, taking into account future liabilities, in its last accounts for 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 past due.

Another company 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 filing accounts.

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

A 5th business called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ ۵,۰۴۱ in the red, taking into account future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are likewise almost 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ initially increased to fame as an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show simply months before the Covid pandemic (pictured with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has given that shed light on the cash problems some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into debt when his dance trip was cancelled in 2020

AJ first rose to popularity as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show simply months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had formerly wanted to kickstart a new period of dance success by departing the program, the pandemic forced him to cancel his scheduled dance trip, plunging himself and brother Curtis into financial obligation.

Speaking with MailOnline, AJ shed light on the money problems some Strictly stars can deal with after leaving the program.

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

‘We didn’t make money, 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 absolutely did appreciate it. I possibly didn’t appreciate 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 believe he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, nevertheless, he described that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he makes is nowhere near that.

The dancer said: ‘I believe a great deal of people expect you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and immediately be a millionaire. Once you have actually paid your tax and your VAT, and if you’re a limited business, that’s not even close.

‘I think transparency is a favorable thing in this day and age, however the majority of people do not actually wish to discuss their financial resources.

‘And I think people are intrigued by cash. People love to see numbers and like to see nice things, and a great deal of times you need to live within your own ways.’

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a variety of huge money deals and AJ states some people have no concept how to handle that kind of sum of money.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a difference’ and have set up ‘using our own money’ a monetary investment business called FINT to assist to ‘educate’ individuals.

AJ ended up being extremely open about how in some cases the TV bookings and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars need to learn how to ‘adapt’ their profession.

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 earns is no place near that

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

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

‘And at the end of the day, there are constantly tasks out there. It’s simply sometimes needing to alter what it is you believe you are going to do and adjust a bit. Adapting is hard but you do need to adjust often.

‘It is necessary that individuals enter into these huge programs that they’re delighting in however 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, people are dealing with the expense of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no different and is routinely snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s seen the remarkable boost in daily items.

He explained: ‘Every single day I’m reminded truth. I pulled up at the petrol pump today and the diesel was 10p more pricey due to decisions that have been made much higher up than my income. That’s the genuine world.

‘I was like, ‘What 10p more pricey from yesterday to today’, like that’s insane. I believe individuals forget, the expense of living and inflation’s increased.

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

Robin Windsor

Despite pulling in an excellent ₤ ۱۰۰,۰۰۰ as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically died with just ₤ ۸۷۹ in his company’s company account

Despite pulling in an outstanding ₤ ۱۰۰,۰۰۰ as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically passed away with simply ₤ ۸۷۹ in his company’s organization 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 company had not traded for a long time and according to Companies House Records was facing an ‘active proposal’ to be struck off.

The company Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed nearly ₤ ۵,۰۰۰ the last time it filed accounts, but owed financial institutions ₤ ۱۵,۰۰۰, suggesting it was ₤ ۸,۳۵۰ in the red.

At the height of his star in 2015 and 2016 he held more than ₤ ۲۳,۰۰۰ in the company and advanced himself ₤ ۳۵,۰۰۰ from the company, which was repaid.

The company had actually channelled earnings from a ‘broad variety of contracts to provide performing arts services within the media industry’, paperwork 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 published images of himself when the boat docked in South Africa.

Robin previously told how he was paid ₤ ۱۰۰,۰۰۰ a year during his time on Strictly which came 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 some time (visualized on the show in 2013)

He likewise recalled one time he earned ‘ridiculous cash’, telling This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were once paid ₤ ۱۰,۰۰۰ 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 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: ‘All of a sudden, I was generating income I had only dreamt about. I probably made about ₤ ۱۰۰,۰۰۰ that year – not simply from Strictly but from work off the back of the show such as the trip and personal efficiencies.

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

Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin said he ended up being so ‘bitter’ about not being permitted to return that he couldn’t bear to watch it, and he entered into a ‘steady decline’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was considerably 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 once thought about a favourite among Strictly fans, however last year he was considerably sacked by bosses following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later confirmed and regretted his actions versus Zara.

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

Strictly Come Dancing rich list: The professional dancers waltzing all the way to the bank after making MILLIONS thanks to the program

‘My extreme passion and decision to win might have impacted my training regime.

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

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

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

The dancer charged $100 (₤ ۷۸) 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 cashed in on their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For many 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

Since then, she has actually looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and also made a reported ₤ ۲۰۰,۰۰۰ fee for her stint on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For lots of fans, Oti is considered one of Strictly’s most effective 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 ₤ ۴۱۰,۰۰۰ salary before she left the show in 2022, and since her exit has accumulated a big 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 Greatest Dancer, contributing to a rumoured fortune of more than ₤ ۱.۴ million.

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

Oti is listed as a director of Pure Mabuse Limited, which she set up with her partner Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has actually noted properties of ₤ ۵۱۰,۹۵۳, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money offer to team up with Bravissimo on a ‘self-confidence boosting’ underclothing range, and she and spouse Marius likewise share a ₤ ۵۹۰,۰۰۰ London estate.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ ۷۵۰,۰۰۰ of properties in four personal companies, which they co-own. including the property company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ ۱۱۰,۵۸۲ 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 apparently paid a ₤ ۲۰۰,۰۰۰ cost.

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champion 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 constantly been easy, exposing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his car while trying to start his carrying out career

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

His company Supreme Dance declared ₤ ۱۰۴,۹۹۳ in its latest assets with ₤ ۴۲,۲۳۴ remaining after expenses.

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, exposing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his cars and truck while trying to kickstart his carrying out career, while managing it with a workplace job.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he said: ‘If there’s nobody there, I’ll oversleep my car and then I can afford two of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I invested loads of time oversleeping my automobile – essentially living out of my automobile – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People believe we live these easy, showbiz, glamorous lives and it’s not like that.

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

‘I was essentially looking in my wallet going, I’ve just been fired from another job. 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 instructor and say,” Oh, there’s been an issue at the bank. I’m going to have to give you the cash on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually capitalized their joint weight loss over the last few years, setting up a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ ۱۲.۹۹ per month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his partner Ola following suit 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 actually cashed in on their joint weight-loss over the last few years, establishing a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ ۱۲.۹۹ each month to subscribe.

The set sold their Kent estate for ₤ ۲.۵ million earlier this year and have actually since scaled down to a home more ‘suitable’ for their child Ella.

Much of their income is funnelled through their firm James and Ola Dance Academy which most just recently had ₤ ۷۷۴,۰۲۳ in possessions and ₤ ۴۶۵,۰۰۲ after expenses.

They earn additional money by selling signed pictures for ₤ ۹.۵۰ while Ola offers dance lessons to fans at ₤ ۳۰۰ a pop.

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC