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 need to be earning a hefty fortune.

Whether it be the tireless hours of training, or being an on-screen component for weeks on end, the show’s expert dancers have helped make the series a fascinating watch throughout the fall months.

However, while it has been assumed that Strictly specialists must earn a quite cent, and years of success, through their time on the show, for a lot of it’s a wholly various story.

Pros who have bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor in the last few years have shared their struggles with stacking financial obligations and cash concerns, with some even facing the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the latest stars to be hit by the infamous ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the severe financial problems they had just recently experienced are believed to have lagged their split.

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

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly’s popular dancers have actually wound up in debt – 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 an expert from 2008 to 2015, making headings when she started a romance with her celebrity partner Ben Cohen.

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

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

Giving proof during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, confessed he had bungled the handling of their automobile insurance coverage and told how he was ‘combating to conserve his relationship and home’.

A pal of the couple told the Mail he stated: ‘The previous 6 months have actually been hell for them and it has torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their family, they have selected to move forward as different people.

‘Those near to them who know them as a couple had 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 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 told the court: ‘I get up every day and I combat not to lose everything – 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 struck by money issues, 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 financially.

‘We stay in business together so the problem is that we opened the business before Covid and we got the worst severities of it and in all honestly this is simply another problem for me to handle.

‘I have actually got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have got a business debt because of Covid. It’s just another problem.’

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 reveal that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was effectively ₤ 6,633 in the red, taking into consideration 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 still not been submitted and are now almost 29 months overdue.

Another company 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 filing accounts.

A fourth company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by 3 other individuals was likewise integrated and voluntarily struck off on the exact same dates.

A 5th business called Yoga Wellbeing which is 100 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 past due, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

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

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

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

While the star had formerly intended to kickstart a new era of dance success by departing the show, the pandemic required him to cancel his organized dance tour, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into debt.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ clarified the cash problems 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 cut short. We paid all of our dancers because, personally, I seemed like that was the right thing to do. We ended up with a VAT bill which came out of our own pocket.

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

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

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his buddies 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 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 minimal business, that’s not even close.

‘I think transparency is a favorable thing in this day and age, but many people do not truly desire to discuss their financial resources.

‘And I think people are captivated by money. People like to see numbers and enjoy to see good things, and a lot of times you need to live within your own means.’

After leaving shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a variety of huge cash offers and AJ states some people have no concept how to manage that sort of amount of money.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a distinction’ and have set up ‘utilizing our own money’ a monetary investment firm called FINT to help to ‘educate’ people.

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 profession.

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his buddies think 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 truly tough I think in our market, the entertainment industry and a great deal of other industries right now due to the fact that a great deal of people 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 money, from my very first pay check on Strictly I’ve constantly had actually that cash invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a job in 6 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 having to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a bit. Adapting is difficult however you do need to adjust sometimes.

‘It is necessary that individuals enter into these huge shows that they’re delighting in 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, people are dealing with the cost of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no various and is frequently snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s observed the remarkable increase in daily products.

He explained: ‘Each and 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 greater up than my paycheck. That’s the real life.

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

‘Even when inflation boils down, it doesn’t mean 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 believe it’s going to get any simpler.’

Robin Windsor

Despite drawing in an excellent ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically passed away with just ₤ 879 in his business’s organization account

Despite drawing in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically died with simply ₤ 879 in his business’s organization 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 not traded for some time and according to Companies House Records was facing an ‘active proposal’ to be struck off.

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

The business had directed profits from a ‘wide range of agreements to offer performing arts services within the media market’, documentation said.

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

He likewise remembered one time he made ‘silly cash’, informing This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were once 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 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 earning money I had just dreamt about. I probably made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not just from Strictly however from work off the back of the show such as the tour and personal performances.

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

Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin stated he ended up being so ‘bitter’ about not being enabled to return that he could not bear to see it, and he entered into a ‘consistent decrease’ after leaving the program.

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 appearances on the program, with customised video messages on Cameo

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

The dancer later verified and regretted his actions versus Zara.

Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘devastated’ Di Prima composed on Instagram: ‘I deeply regret the occasions that resulted in 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 enthusiasm and determination to win might have affected my training regime.

‘While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s just best for the sake of the program that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t allowed to provide a quote to the online newspaper article, and I take on board the level of sensitivity of the scenario.

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

Following his departure from the program, Graziano tried to cash on his appearances on the program, 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 numerous fans, Oti is considered one of 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 likewise made a reported ₤ 200,000 cost for her stint on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! last year

For many fans, Oti is considered 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 given that her exit has amassed a big fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Since then, she has 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 signing up with 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 husband Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has listed properties of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money deal to work together with Bravissimo on a ‘self-confidence increasing’ underclothing variety, and she and other half Marius likewise share a ₤ 590,000 London mansion.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of properties in four private companies, which they co-own. consisting of the property firm, Lionshead, which up ₤ 110,582 in possessions since in 2015.

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

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champion in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the program in 2020, has moneyed in with a string of stage roles

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

Since leaving Strictly in 2020, Kevin Clifton has actually taken to the phase, carrying out 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 staying after costs.

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his automobile while attempting to start his carrying out profession, while handling 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 cars and truck and then I can afford 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I invested loads of time oversleeping my car – 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 just getting fired from task after task – normal workplace jobs, simply attempting to sustain my dancer career.

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

‘I’m going to have to blag it with the instructor and say,” Oh, there’s been an issue 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 cashed in on their joint weight reduction recently, establishing 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 following match two years lateer.

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

The couple have actually capitalized their joint weight-loss in the last few years, establishing a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe.

The set sold their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have given that scaled down to a home more ‘appropriate’ for their daughter Ella.

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC