How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Wound Up In Debt

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

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

However, while it has actually been presumed that Strictly experts should earn a pretty cent, and years of success, through their time on the show, for the majority of it’s a completely different story.

Pros who have actually bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor recently have actually shared their battles with piling debts and cash concerns, with some even dealing with the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the most recent stars to be hit by the notorious ‘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 shine behind Strictly stars’ paychecks to reveal the reality about how for numerous, the cash stops as quickly as the ballroom lights go dark …

Kristina Rihanoff

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

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

However, last year, the couple shared fears that they might lose their home after being struck by money problems, with Ben laying bare their financial troubles in court.

The extent of the couple’s struggles were laid bare in unusual circumstances – throughout a court appearance last September when Kristina, 47, was captured driving without insurance coverage.

Giving proof during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, admitted he had made a mess of the handling of their car insurance plan and informed how he was ‘battling to conserve his relationship and home’.

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

‘Those near them who know them as a couple had 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 financial obligations after they tilled 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 combat not to lose whatever – to lose my vehicles and my house and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

Last year the couple shared fears that they might lose their home after being hit by money concerns, with Ben laying bare their monetary problems in court (visualized in 2021)

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

‘We stay in business together so the issue is that we opened the business before Covid and we got the worst seriousness of it and in all honestly this is just another issue for me to deal with.

‘I have actually got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have got an organization financial obligation because of Covid. It’s just another problem.’

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

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

The business’s accounts for the year ending in July 2021 have actually still not been filed and are now almost 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 submitting accounts.

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

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

AJ Pritchard

AJ initially rose to fame as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic (envisioned with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has because clarify the money issues some Strictly stars can deal with, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance trip was cancelled in 2020

AJ first rose to popularity as a candidate on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show simply months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had previously wished to kickstart a brand-new period of dance success by departing the show, the pandemic forced him to cancel his planned dance tour, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into debt.

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

He said: ‘We had a business where we were running our own trip and the trip was cut brief. We paid all of our dancers because, personally, I seemed like that was the ideal thing to do. We ended up with a VAT expense which came out of our own pocket.

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

‘They certainly did value it. I possibly didn’t value the financial obligation that I was left in but, hi, it’s a choice that was made.’

AJ said it is hard when a great deal 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 earns is no place near that.

The dancer said: ‘I think a lot of individuals 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 company, that’s not even close.

‘I believe transparency is a favorable thing in this day and age, but the majority of people do not actually wish to discuss their finances.

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

After leaving shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a variety of huge money offers and AJ states some people have no concept how to deal with that type of sum of cash.

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

AJ became really open about how sometimes the TV bookings and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars have to discover how to ‘adjust’ their profession.

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his friends think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, as after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he makes is no place near that

He continued: ‘It’s actually difficult I believe in our industry, the entertainment industry and a great deal of other markets today due to the fact that a lot of individuals are being laid off. It does play on your mental health if you don’t have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have actually invested cash, from my extremely first wage on Strictly I’ve constantly had actually that money invested into different . Therefore, if I didn’t work 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 always jobs out there. It’s just sometimes having to alter what it is you believe you are going to do and adapt a bit. Adapting is difficult but you do need to adjust in some cases.

‘It is essential that individuals go into these big programs 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, individuals are facing the expense of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no various and is frequently snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s noticed the significant boost in everyday items.

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

‘I resembled, ‘What 10p more expensive from the other day to today’, like that’s crazy. I believe people forget, the expense of living and inflation’s increased.

‘Even when inflation boils down, it doesn’t suggest that it goes back 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 pulling in an outstanding ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately died with just ₤ 879 in his company’s company account

Despite drawing in an outstanding ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically passed away with simply ₤ 879 in his business’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 exposed 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 company Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed almost ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, but owed lenders ₤ 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 directed earnings from a ‘wide array of agreements to provide performing 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 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 found dead in a London hotel in February, and in the wake of his passing it was revealed his company had actually not traded for a long time (visualized on the program in 2013)

He also remembered one time he made ‘silly money’, informing 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 two 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 stated: ‘All of an abrupt, I was making cash I had just dreamt about. I most likely made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not just from Strictly but from work off the back of the show such as the trip and personal performances.

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

Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin stated he became so ‘bitter’ about not being permitted to return that he couldn’t bear to see it, and he entered into a ‘stable decline’ 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 tried to cash on his looks on the show, with customised video messages on Cameo

Graziano was when considered a favourite amongst Strictly fans, but in 2015 he was drastically sacked by bosses following claims of gross misconduct towards his former celeb partner Zara McDermott.

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

Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘ravaged’ Di Prima wrote on Instagram: ‘I deeply are sorry for the occasions that resulted in my departure from Strictly.

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

‘My extreme passion and determination to win might have affected my training routine.

‘While respecting the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s only ideal for the sake of the show that I step away. I am distressed that I wasn’t permitted to use a quote to the online newspaper article, and I take on board the level of sensitivity of the circumstance.

‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, however I am committed to being strong for my family and pals. I wish the Strictly household nothing but success in the future.’

Following his departure from the program, Graziano tried to cash on his looks 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 capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For many fans, Oti is considered one of Strictly’s most successful exports, with the dancer crowned series champ for two years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

Ever since, she has actually looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and also earned a reported ₤ 200,000 cost for her stint on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For lots of fans, Oti is considered one of Strictly’s most successful exports, with the dancer crowned series champion 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 program in 2022, and since her exit has amassed 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 Greatest Dancer, adding to a rumoured fortune of more than ₤ 1.4 million.

Before joining the Strictly lineup, Oti likewise worked as a professional dancer on Strictly’s German equivalent, Let’s Dance.

Oti is noted as a director of Pure Mabuse Limited, which she set up with her spouse Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has noted possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its most recent accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money offer to team up with Bravissimo on a ‘self-confidence increasing’ underwear variety, and she and hubby Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of possessions in four private business, 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 added to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! where she was reportedly 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 stage functions

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his automobile while trying to start his performing career

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

His firm Supreme Dance stated ₤ 104,993 in its newest possessions with ₤ 42,234 staying after costs.

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t always been simple, revealing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his automobile while attempting to kickstart his carrying out career, while managing 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 vehicle and after that I can pay for 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

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

‘There’s been times where I was just getting fired from job after job – regular office tasks, just trying to sustain my dancer career.

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

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

Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually capitalized their joint weight reduction in the last few years, setting up a physical 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 following fit 2 years lateer.

James has actually 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 cashed in on their joint weight-loss over the last few years, establishing a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe.

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

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC