How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Ended up In Debt

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

Whether it be the vigorous 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 autumn months.

However, while it has actually been assumed that Strictly specialists must make a quite cent, and years of success, through their time on the show, for a lot of it’s an entirely various story.

Pros who have actually bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor over the last few years have actually shared their struggles with stacking financial obligations and money woes, with some even dealing with the possibility of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being 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 financial problems they had 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 financial obligation – as Kristina Rihanoff’s monetary difficulties are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (visualized on the show in 2013)

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

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

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

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

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

‘Those close to them who know them as a couple had actually 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 entrusted debilitating 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 informed the court: ‘I get up every day and I combat not to lose everything – to lose my vehicles and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared fears that they might lose their home after being struck by cash 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 stated: ‘We’re still living together. We remain in it financially.

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

‘I’ve got credit cards that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got an organization financial obligation since of Covid. It’s simply another problem.’

The business was noted to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, but the action was suspended 9 days later and discontinued 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 ₤ ۶,۶۳۳ at a loss, taking into account future liabilities, in its last represent the period ending on July 31, 2020.

The company’s represent 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 also 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 business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by 3 other individuals was likewise incorporated and voluntarily struck off on the exact same dates.

A fifth business called Yoga Wellbeing which is 100 percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ ۵,۰۴۱ in the red, taking into consideration future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are also almost 29 months past due, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

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

But AJ has because 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 increased to popularity 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 previously wished to kickstart a brand-new age of dance success by departing the show, the pandemic required him to cancel his organized dance tour, plunging himself and bro Curtis into financial obligation.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ shed light on the cash concerns some Strictly stars can face after leaving the program.

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 right thing to do. We wound up with a VAT costs 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 certainly did appreciate it. I perhaps didn’t value the debt that I was left in however, hi, it’s a choice that was made.’

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his pals 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 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 minimal 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 really want to discuss their financial resources.

‘And I think individuals are captivated by money. People like 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 variety of big money offers and AJ states some people have no idea how to deal with that kind of amount of cash.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘desire to make a difference’ and have actually set up ‘utilizing our own money’ a monetary investment business called FINT to assist to ‘inform’ people.

AJ became very open about how often the TV bookings and photoshoots can suddenly stop and stars need to discover how to ‘adjust’ their profession.

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his good friends think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, as after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he earns is nowhere near that

He continued: ‘It’s actually tough I think in our industry, the home entertainment market and a great deal of other markets today due to the fact that a lot of people are being laid off. It does use your mental health if you do not have that next task.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested cash, from my really first wage on Strictly I’ve always had actually that cash invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a job 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 simply sometimes needing to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a little bit. Adapting is tough but you do need to adapt often.

‘It’s essential that individuals go into these big shows that they’re delighting 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 expense of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no various and is regularly snapped back into the ‘real world’ as he’s discovered the significant boost in everyday products.

He described: ‘Each and every single day I’m reminded reality. I pulled up at the fuel pump today and the diesel was 10p more pricey due to decisions that have been made much greater up than my paycheck. That’s the real life.

‘I was like, ‘What 10p more expensive from the other day to today’, like that’s crazy. I think individuals forget, the expense of living and inflation’s gone up.

‘Even when inflation comes down, it doesn’t mean that it goes back to what it was. Life is going to be difficult for a lot of people this year and I do not believe it’s going to get any simpler.’

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

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

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

The business had actually transported revenues from a ‘broad range of agreements to offer carrying out arts services within the media industry’, paperwork said.

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

Robin formerly informed 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 not traded for some time (imagined on the show in 2013)

He also remembered one time he earned ‘silly cash’, informing This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were once paid ₤ ۱۰,۰۰۰ each to remain in a luxury resort in Mauritius for a week and dance the cha-cha-cha at an event. Our dance lasted two minutes.’

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

He said: ‘Suddenly, I was generating income I had actually 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 private efficiencies.

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

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

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was dramatically sacked by employers in 2015 following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous celebrity partner Zara McDermott

Following his departure from the program, Graziano tried to cash on his appearances on the show, with personalised video messages on Cameo

Graziano was when thought about a favourite among Strictly fans, but in 2015 he was drastically sacked by managers following claims of gross misconduct towards his former superstar partner Zara McDermott.

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

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

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

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

‘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 family and friends. I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future.’

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

The dancer charged $100 (₤ ۷۸) for a video message, and continued to describe himself as a ‘professional dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have actually capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

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

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

For many fans, Oti is considered one of Strictly’s most effective 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 ₤ ۴۱۰,۰۰۰ salary before she left the program in 2022, and considering that her exit has actually generated a huge fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

Ever since, she has appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was likewise a panellist on The Masked Dancer, and BBC’s The Greatest Dancer, adding 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 set up in February 2017, and has noted properties of ₤ ۵۱۰,۹۵۳, according to its newest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money deal to team up with Bravissimo on a ‘self-confidence enhancing’ underwear variety, and she and hubby Marius likewise share a ₤ ۵۹۰,۰۰۰ London estate.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ ۷۵۰,۰۰۰ of assets in four private business, which they co-own. consisting of the residential or commercial property firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ ۱۱۰,۵۸۲ in possessions as of last year.

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

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his automobile 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 stated ₤ ۱۰۴,۹۹۳ in its most current properties with ₤ ۴۲,۲۳۴ staying after bills.

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t always been simple, exposing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his vehicle while trying to kickstart his carrying out profession, while juggling it with an office job.

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

‘I spent loads of time oversleeping my vehicle – generally living out of my vehicle – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People think we live these easy, showbiz, attractive lives and it’s not like that.

‘There’s been times where I was simply getting fired from task after task – typical workplace tasks, just trying to sustain my dancer career.

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

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

Business: James and Ola Jordan have capitalized their joint weight loss in current years, setting up a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ ۱۲.۹۹ per month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his spouse Ola following fit two years lateer.

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

The couple have capitalized their joint weight reduction in current years, establishing a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ ۱۲.۹۹ per month to subscribe.

The pair sold their Kent mansion for ₤ ۲.۵ million previously this year and have since 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 ₤ ۷۷۴,۰۲۳ in assets and ₤ ۴۶۵,۰۰۲ after expenses.

They make extra cash by offering signed photos for ₤ ۹.۵۰ while Ola provides dance lessons to fans at ₤ ۳۰۰ a pop.

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC