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 presuming that its stars should be earning a large 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 fascinating watch throughout the fall months.

However, while it has actually been assumed that Strictly professionals need to make a pretty penny, and years of success, through their time on the program, for a lot of it’s an entirely different story.

Pros who have bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor in recent years have shared their battles with stacking debts and cash issues, with some even dealing with the possibility of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the latest stars to be struck by the notorious ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the serious monetary problems they had recently experienced are thought to have been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ incomes to reveal the fact about how for many, the cash stops as quickly as the ballroom lights go dark …

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly’s popular dancers have wound up in financial obligation – 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 an expert from 2008 to 2015, making headings when she started a love with her star partner Ben Cohen.

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

The level of the couple’s struggles were laid bare in unusual 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 actually mishandled the handling of their car insurance coverage and informed how he was ‘battling to save his relationship and home’.

A friend of the couple told the Mail he stated: ‘The previous six months have been hell for them and it has torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their family, they have selected to go forward as separate people.

‘Those near them who know them as a couple had 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 crippling debts after they ploughed every cent 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 battle not to lose everything – to lose my cars and my home 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 financial problems in court (visualized in 2021)

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

‘We stay in business together so the issue 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 have actually got credit cards that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have got a company debt because 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 ceased on April 28, 2023.

Records likewise reveal that a food services company called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent 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 company’s represent the year ending in July 2021 have still not been submitted and are now almost 29 months past due.

Another business 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 filing accounts.

A fourth company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other individuals was also 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 consideration future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are likewise nearly 29 months past due, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ initially rose to popularity 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 given that shed light on the cash problems some Strictly stars can deal with, and shared that he was plunged into debt when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

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

While the star had previously intended to kickstart a new period of dance success by departing the show, the pandemic forced him to cancel his planned dance trip, plunging himself and bro Curtis into debt.

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

He stated: ‘We had a business 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 barrel expense 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 tough choice to be made, however that’s what it is when you are running your own company.

‘They definitely did appreciate it. I possibly didn’t value the debt that I was left in however, hello, it’s a decision that was made.’

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his pals think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, nevertheless, he discussed 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’ve paid your tax and your VAT, and if you’re a limited business, that’s not even close.

‘I believe openness is a favorable thing in this day and age, however most people don’t truly wish to discuss their finances.

‘And I believe individuals are fascinated by money. People enjoy to see numbers and like to see nice things, and a great deal 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 variety of huge money deals and AJ states some individuals have no concept how to deal with that type of amount of cash.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a distinction’ and have actually established ‘using our own money’ a financial investment firm called FINT to help to ‘educate’ people.

AJ became really open about how often the TV bookings and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars need to learn how to ‘adapt’ their profession.

AJ said it is hard when a great deal 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 actually hard I think in our industry, the entertainment industry and a great deal of other markets today since a great deal of people are being laid off. It does play on your psychological health if you don’t have that next task.

‘Myself and Curtis have actually invested money, from my really first wage on Strictly I’ve always had that cash invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work in six months time, I do have money 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 just in some cases needing to change what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a bit. Adapting is hard however you do have to adjust often.

‘It is very important that people go into these huge programs that they’re enjoying however they have a profession 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 different and is frequently snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s observed the remarkable boost in daily products.

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

‘I resembled, ‘What 10p more pricey from yesterday to today’, like that’s insane. I think people forget, the cost of living and inflation’s increased.

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

Robin Windsor

Despite pulling in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately passed away with simply ₤ 879 in his business’s service account

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

The dancer was found dead in a London hotel in February last year, and in the wake of his passing it was exposed his company had actually not traded for some time and according to Companies House Records was facing an ‘active proposition’ to be struck off.

The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed practically ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, but owed financial institutions ₤ 15,000, suggesting 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 business and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the business, which was paid back.

The business had actually directed revenues from a ‘wide range of agreements to provide carrying out 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 posted images of himself when the boat docked in South Africa.

Robin formerly informed how he was paid ₤ 100,000 a year throughout his time on Strictly which pertained 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 exposed his company had not traded for some time (visualized on the show in 2013)

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

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

He said: ‘Suddenly, I was generating income I had actually only 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 tour and private efficiencies.

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

Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin stated he ended up being so ‘bitter’ about not being allowed to return that he could not bear to view it, and he went into a ‘constant decrease’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

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

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

Graziano was once thought about a favourite amongst Strictly fans, but last year he was drastically sacked by bosses following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

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

Addressing his exit from the program, 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 method to the bank after making MILLIONS thanks to the program

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

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

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

Following his departure from the show, 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 ‘expert 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 considered among Strictly’s most effective exports, with the dancer crowned series champion 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 made a reported ₤ 200,000 fee for her stint on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For lots of fans, Oti is thought about 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 income before she left the program in 2022, and considering that her exit has amassed a substantial fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

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

Before signing up with the Strictly lineup, Oti also 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 established in February 2017, and has actually noted possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti also signed a big-money offer to work together with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence enhancing’ underclothing variety, and she and husband Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of possessions in four personal companies, 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 current months by appearing on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! where she was reportedly paid a ₤ 200,000 charge.

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champ in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the program in 2020, has actually moneyed 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 automobile while trying to start his performing career

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

His firm Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its most current properties with ₤ 42,234 remaining after expenses.

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his cars and truck while attempting to kickstart his performing 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 sleep in my cars and truck and then I can pay for 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

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

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

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

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

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

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

James has 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 loss in current years, setting up a physical fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe.

The pair offered their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have since scaled down to a home more ‘ideal’ for their child 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 earn extra cash by offering signed pictures for ₤ 9.50 while Ola offers dance lessons to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC