How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Wound Up In Debt

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

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

However, while it has actually been assumed that Strictly professionals need to earn a pretty penny, and years of success, through their time on the show, for most it’s an entirely various story.

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

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the current stars to be hit by the notorious ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the serious monetary troubles they had actually recently experienced are thought to have lagged 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 actually wound up in debt – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial difficulties are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (imagined on the program in 2013)

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

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

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

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

A buddy of the couple informed the Mail he stated: ‘The previous six 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 go forward as different people.

‘Those close to them who understand them as a couple had actually 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 entrusted to debilitating debts after they tilled every cent 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 battle not to lose whatever – 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 struck by money concerns, with Ben laying bare their monetary woes in court (envisioned in 2021)

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

‘We stay in business together so the issue 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 handle.

‘I have actually got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have got a company financial obligation due to the fact that 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 9 days later and terminated on April 28, 2023.

Records likewise expose that a food services company called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 percent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was effectively ₤ ۶,۶۳۳ 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 still not been filed and are now nearly 29 months overdue.

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

A 4th business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by 3 other individuals was also integrated and voluntarily struck off on the same dates.

A 5th company called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ ۵,۰۴۱ 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 contestant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply months before the Covid pandemic (visualized with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has considering that clarify the cash issues 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 fame as an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show simply months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had actually formerly wanted to kickstart a brand-new period of dance success by departing the program, the pandemic forced him to cancel his organized dance tour, plunging himself and brother Curtis into debt.

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

He said: ‘We had a business where we were running our own tour and the trip was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers due to the fact that, personally, I felt like that was the ideal 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, but we paid all of our dancers. It’s a difficult decision to be made, but that’s what it is when you are running your own company.

‘They definitely did appreciate it. I perhaps didn’t value the debt that I was left in but, hi, it’s a decision that was made.’

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

The dancer stated: ‘I believe a great deal of people anticipate you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and instantly 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 think openness is a positive thing in this day and age, however many individuals do not really wish to talk about their financial resources.

‘And I think individuals are captivated by money. People love to see numbers and love 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 number of huge cash offers and AJ states some people have no concept how to handle that type of amount of cash.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘want to make a difference’ and have actually set up ‘utilizing our own money’ a monetary investment company called FINT to help to ‘inform’ individuals.

AJ became very open about how often the TV reservations and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars need to discover how to ‘adapt’ their career.

AJ stated it is hard when a great deal 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 nowhere near that

He continued: ‘It’s truly tough I think in our industry, the show business and a great deal of other markets right now since a great deal of individuals are being laid off. It does use your psychological health if you do not have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested cash, from my really first pay check on Strictly I’ve always had actually that money invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a job in 6 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 constantly jobs out there. It’s simply often needing to change what it is you believe you are going to do and adapt a little bit. Adapting is tough but you do need to adapt in some cases.

‘It is necessary that individuals enter into these big programs that they’re delighting in but they have an occupation behind them like myself and Curt. We’re both professional dancers, we can go all over the world and teach.’

Every day, people are facing the expense of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no different and is frequently snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s noticed the remarkable boost in daily items.

He described: ‘Each and every single day I’m brought back to truth. I brought up at the petrol pump today and the diesel was 10p more costly due to decisions that have actually 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 crazy. I believe individuals forget, the cost of living and inflation’s increased.

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

Robin Windsor

Despite drawing in a remarkable ₤ ۱۰۰,۰۰۰ as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically died with just ₤ ۸۷۹ in his company’s business account

Despite drawing in an impressive ₤ ۱۰۰,۰۰۰ as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically died with simply ₤ ۸۷۹ 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 exposed his firm had actually not traded for some time and according to Companies House Records was facing an ‘active proposal’ to be struck off.

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

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

The company had actually directed profits from a ‘wide range of agreements to supply performing arts services within the media market’, paperwork said.

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

Robin formerly informed how he was paid ₤ ۱۰۰,۰۰۰ a year throughout 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 exposed his company had not traded for a long time (imagined on the program in 2013)

He likewise remembered one time he made ‘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 kept in mind in September 2022 that the ‘finest’ year of his monetary life was 2010, ‘my very first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He stated: ‘All of an unexpected, I was earning cash I had just dreamt about. I probably made about ₤ ۱۰۰,۰۰۰ that year – not just from Strictly but from work off the back of the show such as the tour and personal performances.

‘When you’re on prime-time TV, everyone 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 watch it, and he entered into a ‘stable decline’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was considerably sacked by managers in 2015 following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous 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 once thought about a preferred amongst Strictly fans, however last year he was significantly sacked by bosses following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott.

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

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

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

‘My intense enthusiasm and determination to win might have affected my training program.

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

‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to go over at this time, but I am dedicated 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 tried to cash on his appearances on the show, with personalised 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 capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For lots of fans, Oti is considered one of 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 charge for her stint on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! last year

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

The dancer was reported to be on a ₤ ۴۱۰,۰۰۰ wage before she left the program in 2022, and since her exit has actually amassed a huge fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Since then, she has actually looked like 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 ₤ ۱.۴ million.

Before signing up with 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 other half Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has actually noted assets of ₤ ۵۱۰,۹۵۳, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money deal to work together with Bravissimo on a ‘self-confidence boosting’ underclothing range, and she and hubby Marius likewise share a ₤ ۵۹۰,۰۰۰ London estate.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ ۷۵۰,۰۰۰ of properties in 4 private business, which they co-own. consisting of the home company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ ۱۱۰,۵۸۲ in possessions as of in 2015.

And Oti has just contributed to her fortune in current months by appearing on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! where she was apparently paid a ₤ ۲۰۰,۰۰۰ charge.

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 phase roles

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

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

His company Supreme Dance declared ₤ ۱۰۴,۹۹۳ in its newest properties with ₤ ۴۲,۲۳۴ remaining after bills.

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his automobile while trying to start his performing career, while juggling 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 car and after that I can pay for 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

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

‘There’s been times where I was simply getting fired from job after job – typical office tasks, 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 four lessons tomorrow; I already can’t spend for two 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-loss over the last few years, setting up a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ ۱۲.۹۹ each month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his partner Ola following match 2 years lateer.

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

The couple have cashed in on their joint weight loss over the last few years, establishing a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ ۱۲.۹۹ per month to subscribe.

The set offered their Kent estate for ₤ ۲.۵ million earlier this year and have considering that 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 recently had ₤ ۷۷۴,۰۲۳ in assets and ₤ ۴۶۵,۰۰۲ after expenses.

They earn additional cash by selling signed photos for ₤ ۹.۵۰ while Ola provides dance lessons to fans at ₤ ۳۰۰ a pop.

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC