How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have actually Wound Up In Debt

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

Whether it be the steadfast hours of training, or being an on-screen component for weeks on end, the program’s expert dancers have helped make the series a captivating watch throughout the autumn months.

However, while it has been presumed that Strictly experts must make a quite cent, and years of success, through their time on the show, for many it’s a completely different story.

Pros who have actually bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor in recent years have shared their struggles with stacking financial obligations and money concerns, 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 extreme financial difficulties they had just recently experienced are believed to have actually been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly to expose the truth about how for numerous, the cash stops as quickly as the ballroom lights go dark …

Kristina Rihanoff

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

Kristina previously appeared on Strictly as a professional from 2008 to 2015, making headings when she started a love with her celebrity partner Ben Cohen.

However, in 2015, the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being struck by money problems, 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 caught driving without insurance.

Giving evidence during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, confessed he had actually made a mess of the handling of their automobile insurance plan and told how he was ‘fighting to save his relationship and home’.

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

‘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 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 my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared worries that they could lose their home after being struck by cash concerns, with Ben laying bare their financial issues in court (visualized in 2021)

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

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

‘I’ve got charge card 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 issue.’

The company was noted to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, however 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 ₤ 6,633 in the red, taking into consideration future liabilities, in its last represent the duration ending on July 31, 2020.

The business’s accounts for the year ending in July 2021 have actually still not been submitted and are now nearly 29 months past due.

Another business called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is also owned by the Soo Yoga Group, was established in December 2021 and dissolved by a voluntary strike off in February this year without ever submitting accounts.

A fourth business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other individuals was also included and voluntarily struck off on the same dates.

A 5th company called Yoga Wellbeing which is 100 percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 at a loss, taking into consideration future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are also almost 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

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

But AJ has since clarify the cash concerns some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into debt when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

AJ first increased to fame as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had previously hoped to start a new age of dance success by departing the program, the pandemic required him to cancel his planned dance trip, plunging himself and brother Curtis into financial obligation.

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

He said: ‘We had a company where we were running our own trip and the tour was cut short. We paid all of our dancers due to the fact that, personally, I felt like that was the right thing to do. We ended 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 choice to be made, but that’s what it is when you are running your own company.

‘They absolutely did appreciate it. I possibly didn’t appreciate the financial obligation that I was left in however, hi, it’s a choice that was made.’

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his friends 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 no place near that.

The dancer stated: ‘I believe a great deal of individuals 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 company, that’s not even close.

‘I believe transparency is a positive thing in this day and age, but many people do not really desire to speak about their financial resources.

‘And I think people are captivated by money. People love to see numbers and enjoy to see great things, and a great deal of times you need to live within your own methods.’

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a variety of huge cash offers and AJ says some people have no concept how to deal with that sort of amount of cash.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘want to make a distinction’ and have set up ‘utilizing our own cash’ a monetary investment business called FINT to help to ‘educate’ individuals.

AJ ended up being extremely open about how often the TV bookings and photoshoots can suddenly stop and stars have to discover how to ‘adjust’ their profession.

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his buddies believe 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 truly hard I think in our market, the show business and a great deal of other markets right now due to the fact that a lot 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 money, from my really first pay check on Strictly I’ve always had actually that money invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work in six months time, I do have cash there that I can draw on if I require it.

‘And at the end of the day, there are constantly jobs out there. It’s just often having to change what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a bit. Adapting is tough but you do need to adjust often.

‘It’s essential that individuals go into these huge programs that they’re delighting in but they have an occupation behind them like myself and Curt. We’re both expert dancers, we can go all over the world and teach.’

Every day, people are facing the cost of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no various and is frequently snapped back into the ‘real world’ as he’s observed the dramatic boost in daily items.

He discussed: ‘Every single day I’m reminded truth. I brought up at the petrol pump today and the diesel was 10p more costly due to choices that have been made much greater up than my paycheck. That’s the genuine world.

‘I was like, ‘What 10p more costly from yesterday to today’, like that’s insane. I think individuals forget, the expense of living and inflation’s gone up.

‘Even when inflation comes down, it does not indicate that it returns to what it was. Life is going to be tough for a lot of individuals this year and I do not think it’s going to get any simpler.’

Robin Windsor

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

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.

The dancer was found dead in a London hotel in February in 2015, and in the wake of his passing it was exposed his firm had not traded for some 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 practically ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, however owed creditors ₤ 15,000, indicating it was ₤ 8,350 in the red.

At the height of his celebrity 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 channelled earnings from a ‘wide range of contracts to supply carrying out arts services within the media industry’, documents said.

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

Robin formerly told how he was paid ₤ 100,000 a year throughout 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 firm had actually not traded for a long time (visualized on the show in 2013)

He also remembered one time he made ‘ridiculous money’, telling This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were when 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 two minutes.’

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

He stated: ‘All of an abrupt, I was making cash I had only dreamt about. I most likely made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not just from Strictly but from work off the back of the program such as the tour and personal efficiencies.

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

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

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was significantly sacked by employers last year following claims of gross misconduct towards his former celebrity partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was once thought about a favourite among Strictly fans, but last year he was significantly sacked by bosses following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former superstar partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later confirmed and regretted his actions versus Zara.

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

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

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

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

‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to go over at this time, however I am devoted to being strong for my friends and family. I want the Strictly family nothing but success in the future.’

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

The dancer charged $100 (₤ 78) 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 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 2 years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

Ever since, she has appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and also made a reported ₤ 200,000 fee for her stint on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For many fans, Oti is thought about among Strictly’s most successful 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 ₤ 410,000 wage before she left the program in 2022, and considering that her exit has actually collected a big fortune with a string of effective 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 Greatest Dancer, adding to a rumoured fortune of more than ₤ 1.4 million.

Before signing up with 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 assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its most current accounts.

In 2022, Oti also signed a big-money offer to team up with Bravissimo on a ‘self-confidence improving’ underclothing range, and she and other half Marius likewise share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of possessions in four personal business, which they co-own. including the residential or commercial property firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in properties since last year.

And Oti has actually just contributed to her fortune in current months by appearing on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! where she was supposedly paid a ₤ 200,000 charge.

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 stage roles

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his vehicle while attempting to kickstart his performing career

Since leaving Strictly in 2020, Kevin Clifton has 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 latest assets with ₤ 42,234 staying after costs.

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, revealing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his automobile while trying to start his performing profession, while juggling it with an office job.

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

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

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

‘I was generally looking in my wallet going, I have actually just been fired from another task. I have actually got four lessons tomorrow; I already can’t pay for 2 of them.

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

Business: James and Ola Jordan have capitalized their joint weight-loss in the last few years, setting up a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his other half Ola doing the same 2 years lateer.

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

The couple have actually capitalized their joint weight reduction over the last few years, setting up a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe.

The pair offered their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have actually given that scaled down to a home more ‘ideal’ for their daughter Ella.

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC