How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Ended up In Debt

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

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

However, while it has been assumed that Strictly experts should make a quite penny, and years of success, through their time on the show, for a lot of it’s an entirely different story.

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

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the current stars to be struck by the infamous ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the extreme financial problems they had actually recently experienced are thought to have actually been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly stars’ incomes 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 actually ended up in financial obligation – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial troubles are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (envisioned on the show in 2013)

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

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

The extent of the couple’s struggles were laid bare in unusual scenarios – throughout a court look last September when Kristina, 47, was captured 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 vehicle insurance coverage policy and informed how he was ‘battling to save his relationship and home’.

A friend of the couple informed the Mail he stated: ‘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 chosen to move forward as different people.

‘Those near them who know them as a couple had actually hoped they would have the ability to work things out but for now it’s over and it looks like there’s no going back.’

The couple were entrusted to debilitating financial obligations after they ploughed 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 fight not to lose whatever – to lose my cars and my house and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being hit by money problems, with Ben laying bare their monetary problems in court (pictured in 2021)

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

‘We’re in service 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 deal with.

‘I have actually got credit cards that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got an organization debt due to the fact that of Covid. It’s simply another problem.’

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

Records also expose that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 percent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was effectively ₤ 6,633 at a loss, taking into account 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 overdue.

Another company called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is likewise owned by the Soo Yoga Group, was established 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 3 other individuals was likewise incorporated and voluntarily struck off on the exact same dates.

A 5th company 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 nearly 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ first rose to fame as a candidate 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 shed light on the cash problems some Strictly stars can deal with, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

AJ initially increased to popularity as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show simply months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had previously hoped to kickstart a new era of dance success by leaving the show, the pandemic forced him to cancel his planned dance tour, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into debt.

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

He stated: ‘We had a business where we were running our own trip 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 VAT costs which came out of our own pocket.

‘We didn’t get paid, myself or Curtis, however we paid all of our dancers. It’s a hard choice to be made, however that’s what it is when you are running your own business.

‘They absolutely did appreciate it. I maybe 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 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 earns is no place near that.

The dancer stated: ‘I think a great deal of individuals anticipate 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 believe openness is a positive thing in this day and age, however most individuals don’t truly wish to discuss their financial resources.

‘And I think people are intrigued by cash. People like to see numbers and enjoy to see nice things, and a lot of times you need to live within your own methods.’

After leaving shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a number of big money deals and AJ states some people have no concept how to handle that kind of amount of cash.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a distinction’ and have actually established ‘utilizing our own cash’ a monetary investment firm called FINT to help to ‘educate’ individuals.

AJ ended up being really open about how often the TV reservations and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars have to find out how to ‘adjust’ their career.

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 nowhere near that

He continued: ‘It’s actually difficult I think in our market, the show business and a lot of other markets today since a great deal of people are being laid off. It does use your psychological health if you don’t have that next task.

‘Myself and Curtis have actually invested cash, from my really first pay check on Strictly I’ve always had actually that cash invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a task in six months time, I do have cash there that I can draw on if I need it.

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

‘It is essential that individuals go into these huge shows that they’re delighting in 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, individuals are dealing with the cost of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no various and is routinely snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s noticed the remarkable boost in daily products.

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

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

‘Even when inflation boils down, it does not indicate that it goes back to what it was. Life is going to be tough for a lot of people this year and I do not think it’s going to get any easier.’

Robin Windsor

Despite drawing in an impressive ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically died with just ₤ 879 in his company’s organization account

Despite pulling in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately died with just ₤ 879 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 revealed his firm had actually not traded for some time and according to Companies House Records was dealing with an ‘active proposition’ to be struck off.

The company Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed practically ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, but owed creditors ₤ 15,000, suggesting 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 revenues from a ‘wide array of agreements to offer performing arts services within the media industry’, documentation stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been working on a Fred Olsen Cruise – together with fellow Strictly professional Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and posted images 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 exposed his firm had not traded for some time (envisioned on the show in 2013)

He likewise remembered one time he earned ‘silly money’, telling This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were when paid ₤ 10,000 each to remain 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 said: ‘All of a sudden, I was earning cash I had just dreamt about. I probably made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not just from Strictly but from work off the back of the program 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 ended up being so ‘bitter’ about not being enabled to return that he couldn’t bear to watch it, and he went into a ‘stable decrease’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was dramatically sacked by bosses last year following claims of gross misconduct towards his former celeb partner Zara McDermott

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

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

The dancer later confirmed and regretted his against Zara.

Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘ravaged’ 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 way to the bank after earning MILLIONS thanks to the program

‘My extreme enthusiasm and determination to win may have affected my training program.

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

‘There’s more to this story that I am not able to talk about at this time, however I am committed to being strong for my friends and family. I want the Strictly household absolutely nothing but success in the future.’

Following his departure from the program, Graziano tried 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 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 lots of fans, Oti is thought about one of Strictly’s most successful exports, with the dancer crowned series champion for 2 years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

Since then, she has looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and likewise made a reported ₤ 200,000 cost for her stint on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! last year

For many fans, Oti is considered 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 because her exit has collected a huge fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

Ever since, she has actually looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was also a panellist on The Masked Dancer, and BBC’s The best Dancer, contributing to a rumoured fortune of more than ₤ 1.4 million.

Before joining 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 set up with her husband Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has actually listed assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money deal to collaborate with Bravissimo on a ‘self-confidence improving’ underwear variety, and she and spouse Marius likewise share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in 4 personal business, which they co-own. including the property company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in assets since in 2015.

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

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champ in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the show in 2020, has cashed in with a string of stage functions

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his car while attempting to kickstart 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 stated ₤ 104,993 in its newest assets with ₤ 42,234 remaining after bills.

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t always been simple, revealing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his automobile while attempting to start his performing career, while handling it with an office job.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he stated: ‘If there’s no one there, I’ll sleep in my automobile and then I can afford two of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I invested loads of time oversleeping my cars and truck – generally living out of my cars and truck – 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 simply getting fired from job after task – regular workplace jobs, simply attempting to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was essentially searching in my wallet going, I’ve just been fired from another job. I’ve got 4 lessons tomorrow; I currently can’t pay for 2 of them.

‘I’m going to need 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 cashed in on their joint weight reduction in the last few years, establishing a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his wife Ola following suit two years lateer.

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

The couple have cashed in on their joint weight reduction in the last few years, establishing a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe.

The set offered their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have actually given that downsized 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 properties and ₤ 465,002 after costs.

They earn money by selling signed photos for ₤ 9.50 while Ola uses dance lessons to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC