How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have actually Ended up In Debt

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

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

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

Pros who have actually bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor in recent years have shared their battles with piling financial obligations and cash issues, with some even dealing with the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the newest stars to be struck by the notorious ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the severe financial troubles they had just recently experienced are believed to have been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly stars’ incomes to expose the reality about how for many, the money stops as quickly as the ballroom lights go dark …

Kristina Rihanoff

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

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

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

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

Giving proof throughout the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, confessed he had actually mishandled the handling of their automobile insurance coverage policy and told how he was ‘fighting to conserve his relationship and home’.

A pal of the couple told the Mail he stated: ‘The previous 6 months have been hell for them and it has actually torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their household, they have actually selected to go forward as different individuals.

‘Those near to them who know them as a couple had hoped they would be able to work things out however for now it’s over and it appears like there’s no going back.’

The couple were entrusted to 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 battle not to lose whatever – to lose my cars and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

Last year the couple shared worries that they could lose their home after being struck by cash issues, with Ben laying bare their monetary problems in court (imagined in 2021)

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

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

‘I have actually got credit cards that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got a company debt 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 9 days later and stopped on April 28, 2023.

Records likewise reveal that a food services company called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was successfully ₤ 6,633 at a loss, taking into account future liabilities, in its last accounts for the period ending on July 31, 2020.

The business’s represent 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 dissolved 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 3 other people was also integrated and willingly struck off on the same dates.

A fifth business called Yoga Wellbeing which is 100 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 almost 29 months past due, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ initially rose to popularity as a candidate 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 considering that shed light on the cash woes 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 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 formerly hoped to start a brand-new period of dance success by leaving the program, the pandemic forced him to cancel his scheduled dance tour, plunging himself and bro Curtis into debt.

Speaking to MailOnline, AJ shed light on the cash troubles some Strictly stars can deal with after leaving the program.

He said: ‘We had a business where we were running our own tour and the tour was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers because, personally, I felt like that was the best thing to do. We ended up with a barrel 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 decision to be made, however that’s what it is when you are running your own company.

‘They definitely did value it. I maybe didn’t value the financial obligation that I was left in but, hi, it’s a decision that was made.’

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his buddies think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, nevertheless, he discussed that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he earns is nowhere near that.

The dancer stated: ‘I believe a lot of people 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 restricted business, that’s not even close.

‘I believe transparency is a positive thing in this day and age, but a lot of individuals do not actually wish to talk about their financial resources.

‘And I believe people are intrigued by money. People like to see numbers and like to see great 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 thrown into a variety of huge money deals and AJ states some people have no concept how to deal with that type of amount of money.

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

AJ ended up being very open about how sometimes the TV bookings and photoshoots can suddenly stop and stars have to learn how to ‘adapt’ their profession.

AJ stated it is hard when a lot 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 no place near that

He continued: ‘It’s really difficult I believe 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 play on your psychological health if you do not have that next task.

‘Myself and Curtis have actually invested money, from my very first wage on Strictly I’ve constantly had actually that cash invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a job in six 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 always tasks out there. It’s just sometimes having to alter what it is you believe you are going to do and adapt a little bit. Adapting is difficult however you do need to adapt often.

‘It is necessary that people go into these huge shows that they’re enjoying however 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 dealing with the cost of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no different and is routinely snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s discovered the significant boost in everyday products.

He explained: ‘Every single day I’m reminded truth. I brought up at the fuel pump today and the diesel was 10p more pricey due to choices that have actually been made much greater up than my income. That’s the real world.

‘I resembled, ‘What 10p more pricey from yesterday to today’, like that’s crazy. I think individuals forget, the cost 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 difficult for a lot of people this year and I don’t think it’s going to get any simpler.’

Robin Windsor

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

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

The dancer was found 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 a long time and according to Companies House Records was dealing with an ‘active proposal’ to be struck off.

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

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

The business had actually transported earnings from a ‘variety of agreements to provide performing arts services within the media industry’, documents said.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had actually been working on a Fred Olsen Cruise – along with 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 ₤ 100,000 a year throughout his time on Strictly which pertained 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 firm had not traded for a long time (visualized on the program in 2013)

He likewise recalled one time he made ‘ridiculous cash’, informing This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were as soon as paid ₤ 10,000 each to stay in a high-end resort in Mauritius for a week and dance the cha-cha-cha at an event. Our dance lasted 2 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 abrupt, I was making money I had just dreamt about. I probably made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not just from Strictly however from work off the back of the program such as the tour and private performances.

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

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin stated he became so ‘bitter’ about not being permitted to return that he could not bear to enjoy it, and he went into a ‘stable decline’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was significantly sacked by bosses in 2015 following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was as soon as considered a favourite amongst Strictly fans, however last year he was dramatically sacked by managers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

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

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

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

‘My extreme enthusiasm and determination to win may have impacted my training regime.

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

‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to talk about at this time, however I am devoted 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 appearances 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 capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For many fans, Oti is thought about among Strictly’s most effective exports, with the dancer crowned series champ for two years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

Since then, she has actually appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and likewise made a reported ₤ 200,000 fee for her stint on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! last year

For numerous fans, Oti is considered one of 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 ₤ 410,000 salary before she left the show in 2022, and given that her exit has actually amassed a huge fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Ever since, she has appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was also a panellist on The Masked Dancer, and BBC’s The best 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 listed as a director of Pure Mabuse Limited, which she established with her spouse Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has actually listed assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its most recent accounts.

In 2022, Oti also signed a big-money offer to work together with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence increasing’ underclothing range, and she and husband Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of properties in 4 private business, which they co-own. consisting of the residential or commercial property company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in properties since last year.

And Oti has actually only contributed to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! where she was apparently paid a ₤ 200,000 fee.

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champion in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the show in 2020, has moneyed in with a string of phase roles

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, exposing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his automobile while attempting to start his carrying out career

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

His firm Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its most current possessions with ₤ 42,234 staying after costs.

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his automobile while attempting to kickstart his carrying out career, while juggling it with a workplace job.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he stated: ‘If there’s nobody there, I’ll oversleep my car and after that I can pay for two of my dance lessons tomorrow.

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

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

‘I was generally looking in my wallet going, I’ve simply 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 need to blag it with the teacher and say,” Oh, there’s been a problem 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 cashed in on their joint weight reduction recently, setting up a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe

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

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

The set sold their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have because downsized to a home more ‘appropriate’ 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 properties and ₤ 465,002 after bills.

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC