How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Ended up In Debt

For audiences tuning into BBC’s megahit Strictly Come Dancing, they would be right in presuming that its stars need to be earning 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 helped make the series a captivating watch throughout the autumn months.

However, while it has been assumed that Strictly experts need to earn a quite penny, and years of success, through their time on the program, for most it’s an entirely various story.

Pros who have bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor over the last few years have shared their battles with piling debts and money concerns, with some even facing the prospect of losing their homes.

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

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ paychecks to expose the fact about how for numerous, the money stops as quickly as the ballroom lights go dark …

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly’s popular dancers have actually ended up in debt – 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 headlines when she began a romance with her star partner Ben Cohen.

However, in 2015, 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.

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

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

A pal of the couple told the Mail he stated: ‘The previous six months have actually 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 move as different people.

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

The couple were left with crippling debts 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 cars and trucks and my house and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

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

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

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

‘I’ve got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got a service debt due to the fact that of Covid. It’s just another issue.’

The company was listed 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 expose that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 percent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was successfully ₤ 6,633 in the red, considering future liabilities, in its last represent the period ending on July 31, 2020.

The company’s accounts for the year ending in July 2021 have still not been filed 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 set up in December 2021 and dissolved 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 included and willingly struck off on the same dates.

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

AJ Pritchard

AJ first rose to popularity as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic (imagined with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has given that clarify the cash woes some Strictly stars can deal with, and shared that he was plunged into debt when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

AJ initially increased to fame as a candidate on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had previously intended to start a brand-new period of dance success by departing the program, the pandemic forced him to cancel his planned dance tour, plunging himself and bro Curtis into financial obligation.

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

He said: ‘We had a company where we were running our own trip and the tour was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers since, personally, I felt like that was the right thing to do. We wound up with a VAT 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, but that’s what it is when you are running your own business.

‘They absolutely did value it. I possibly didn’t value the financial obligation that I was left in but, hey, it’s a decision that was made.’

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his pals believe 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 said: ‘I think a lot of people expect 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 favorable thing in this day and age, however the majority of people do not truly desire to speak about their financial resources.

‘And I believe individuals are intrigued by money. People like to see numbers and love to see great things, and a lot of times you need to live within your own ways.’

After leaving shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a variety of huge money deals and AJ says some individuals have no concept how to deal with that type of sum of money.

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

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

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his good friends 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 tough I believe in our industry, the show business and a great deal of other industries today due to the fact that a great deal of people are being laid off. It does use your mental health if you do not 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 various portfolios. 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 constantly jobs out there. It’s just in some cases needing to change what it is you believe you are going to do and adapt a little bit. Adapting is difficult but you do have to adapt often.

‘It’s essential that people enter into these huge programs that they’re enjoying however 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 admitted he is no various and is frequently snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s discovered the remarkable boost in daily items.

He discussed: ‘Each and every single day I’m reminded truth. I pulled up at the gas pump today and the diesel was 10p more pricey due to decisions that have been made much higher up than my paycheck. That’s the real world.

‘I was like, ‘What 10p more expensive from the other day to today’, like that’s insane. I believe people forget, the expense of living and inflation’s gone up.

‘Even when inflation boils down, it doesn’t imply that it returns to what it was. Life is going to be difficult for a lot of individuals this year and I don’t think it’s going to get any much easier.’

Robin Windsor

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

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

The dancer was found 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, but owed creditors ₤ 15,000, meaning 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 company, which was paid back.

The company had funnelled earnings from a ‘wide array of agreements to offer performing arts services within the media industry’, documents said.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had actually been dealing with a Fred Olsen Cruise – together with fellow Strictly expert Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and posted photos 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 concerned 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 actually not traded for some time (pictured on the show in 2013)

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

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

He said: ‘All of a sudden, I was generating income I had actually just dreamt about. I probably made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not simply from Strictly however from work off the back of the program such as the trip and personal efficiencies.

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

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin stated he became so ‘bitter’ about not being allowed to return that he couldn’t bear to see it, and he went into a ‘steady decrease’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was significantly sacked by managers last year following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous celebrity partner Zara McDermott

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

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

The dancer later validated and regretted his actions against Zara.

Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘devastated’ Di Prima wrote 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 way to the bank after making MILLIONS thanks to the program

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

‘While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t enabled to provide a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the level of sensitivity of the circumstance.

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

Following his departure from the show, Graziano tried to cash on his appearances on the program, with personalised 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 cashed in on their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For numerous 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

Ever since, she has appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and likewise earned 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 among 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 income before she left the program in 2022, and since her exit has amassed a substantial fortune with a string of successful 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, 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 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 listed assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money offer to work together with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence enhancing’ underclothing range, and she and hubby Marius likewise 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 property company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in possessions as of last year.

And Oti has only contributed to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Star 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 program in 2020, has actually cashed in with a string of phase roles

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t always been simple, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his cars and truck while trying to start his carrying out career

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

His company Supreme Dance stated ₤ 104,993 in its most current assets with ₤ 42,234 remaining after expenses.

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t always been simple, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his vehicle while attempting to kickstart his carrying out profession, while managing it with an office task.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he said: ‘If there’s nobody there, I’ll oversleep my automobile and after that I can manage 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

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

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

‘I was essentially looking in my wallet going, I’ve simply been fired from another task. 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 an issue 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-loss in current years, establishing a physical fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his better half Ola following fit two 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 cashed in on their joint weight-loss recently, setting up a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe.

The pair sold their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have actually because downsized 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 possessions and ₤ 465,002 after costs.

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC