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 presuming that its stars should be making a significant fortune.

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

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

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

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the newest stars to be hit by the notorious ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the extreme financial problems they had just recently experienced are believed to have lagged their split.

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

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly’s popular dancers have wound up in debt – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial problems are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (visualized on the program in 2013)

Kristina previously appeared on Strictly as a professional from 2008 to 2015, making headlines when she started a romance with her celeb partner Ben Cohen.

However, in 2015, the couple shared fears that they could lose their home after being struck by money issues, with Ben laying bare their monetary problems in court.

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

Giving evidence throughout the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, confessed he had made a mess of the handling of their cars and truck insurance coverage and told how he was ‘fighting to conserve his relationship and home’.

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

‘Those near them who know them as a couple had actually 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 left with crippling debts after they ploughed every penny 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 fight not to lose whatever – to lose my cars and trucks and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared fears that they could lose their home after being hit by cash problems, with Ben laying bare their financial problems in court (visualized in 2021)

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

‘We stay in business together so the problem is that we opened the company before Covid and we got the worst severities 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 company financial obligation due to the fact that of Covid. It’s just another problem.’

The company was listed to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, but the action was suspended nine days later and ceased on April 28, 2023.

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

The company’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 set up 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 likewise integrated and voluntarily struck off on the same dates.

A fifth business 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 likewise almost 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ first rose to popularity as an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show just months before the Covid pandemic (envisioned with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has given that clarify the cash 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 rose to popularity as an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had formerly wished to kickstart a new age of dance success by departing the show, the pandemic required him to cancel his planned dance tour, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into financial obligation.

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

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

‘They definitely did appreciate it. I possibly didn’t appreciate the financial obligation that I was left in but, hey, it’s a choice that was made.’

AJ stated it is hard when a great deal of his good friends believe he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, nevertheless, 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 anticipate you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and quickly be a millionaire. Once you’ve paid your tax and your VAT, and if you’re a limited company, that’s not even close.

‘I believe openness is a positive thing in this day and age, but many people don’t truly want to talk about their finances.

‘And I think people are interested by cash. People love to see numbers and like to see good things, and a lot of times you require to live within your own methods.’

After leaving shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a number of big money offers and AJ says some individuals have no idea how to handle that kind of amount of cash.

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

AJ ended up being extremely open about how sometimes the TV reservations and photoshoots can suddenly stop and stars have to find out how to ‘adapt’ 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 makes is nowhere near that

He continued: ‘It’s really hard I believe in our market, the entertainment market and a great deal of other markets today because a lot of people are being laid off. It does play on your mental health if you do not have that next job.

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

‘It is essential that individuals enter into these huge programs that they’re taking pleasure 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 facing the expense of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no different and is routinely snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s noticed the significant boost in daily items.

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

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

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

Robin Windsor

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

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

The dancer was discovered dead in a London hotel in February last year, 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 dealing with an ‘active proposal’ to be struck off.

The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed nearly ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, however owed lenders ₤ 15,000, indicating it was ₤ 8,350 in the red.

At the height of his star 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 actually directed earnings from a ‘wide array of contracts to offer performing arts services within the media market’, paperwork 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 published photos of himself when the boat docked in South Africa.

Robin previously informed how he was paid ₤ 100,000 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 exposed his company had not traded for some time (pictured on the show in 2013)

He likewise recalled one time he made ‘ridiculous money’, informing This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were as soon as paid ₤ 10,000 each to remain in a luxury resort in Mauritius for a week and dance the cha-cha-cha at an occasion. Our dance lasted 2 minutes.’

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

He said: ‘Suddenly, I was making cash I had actually only dreamt about. I probably made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not simply from Strictly but from work off the back of the show such as the trip and private efficiencies.

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

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin stated he ended up being so ‘bitter’ about not being allowed 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 significantly sacked by bosses last year following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was as soon as thought about a favourite amongst Strictly fans, however in 2015 he was dramatically sacked by bosses following claims of gross misconduct towards his former celeb partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later confirmed and regretted his actions versus Zara.

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

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

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

‘While respecting the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s only best for the sake of the program that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t allowed to provide a quote to the online newspaper article, and I take on board the sensitivity of the scenario.

‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to talk about at this time, but I am dedicated to being strong for my household and buddies. I want the Strictly household absolutely 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 (₤ 78) for a video message, and continued to describe himself as a ‘professional 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 thought about one of 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 appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and likewise earned a reported ₤ 200,000 charge for her stint on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! last year

For numerous fans, Oti is considered among 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 ₤ 410,000 salary before she left the program in 2022, and because her exit has accumulated a big fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Since then, 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 noted as a director of Pure Mabuse Limited, which she established with her husband Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has actually listed properties of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

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

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of properties in four private companies, 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 actually just contributed to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! where she was apparently paid a ₤ 200,000 cost.

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champion 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 simple, exposing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his cars and truck while trying to start his carrying out career

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 latest possessions with ₤ 42,234 remaining after costs.

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t always been simple, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his vehicle while attempting to kickstart his carrying out career, while managing it with an office job.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he said: ‘If there’s no one there, I’ll oversleep my vehicle and after that I can pay for 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I spent loads of time oversleeping my car – generally living out of my car – 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 job – typical office tasks, just attempting to sustain my dancer profession.

‘I was basically looking in my wallet going, I’ve simply been fired from another job. I’ve got 4 lessons tomorrow; I already can’t pay for 2 of them.

‘I’m going to have to blag it with the instructor and state,” Oh, there’s been a problem at the bank. I’m going to need 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-loss recently, setting up a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe

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

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

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

The set sold their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have actually because scaled down to a home more ‘suitable’ for their daughter Ella.

Much of their income is funnelled through their company James and Ola Dance Academy which most recently had ₤ 774,023 in possessions and ₤ 465,002 after costs.

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC