How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have actually Wound Up In Debt

For audiences tuning into BBC’s megahit Strictly Come Dancing, they would be ideal in presuming that its stars must be earning a hefty fortune.

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

However, while it has been presumed that Strictly specialists should earn a quite cent, and years of success, through their time on the program, for a lot of it’s a wholly different story.

Pros who have actually bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor over the last few years have actually shared their struggles with stacking financial obligations and cash concerns, with some even dealing with the possibility of losing their homes.

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

MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly stars’ incomes to expose 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 ended up in debt – as Kristina Rihanoff’s monetary troubles 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 headings when she started a love with her celebrity partner Ben Cohen.

However, last year, the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being hit by money woes, with Ben laying bare their monetary troubles in court.

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

Giving proof throughout the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, admitted he had made a mess of the handling of their cars and truck insurance coverage and informed how he was ‘battling to save his relationship and home’.

A pal of the couple told the Mail he stated: ‘The past 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 picked to move forward as separate individuals.

‘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 appears like there’s no going back.’

The couple were entrusted crippling debts after they tilled every cent 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 fight not to lose everything – to lose my vehicles and my house and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared worries that they could lose their home after being hit by cash concerns, with Ben laying bare their financial problems in court (imagined in 2021)

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

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

‘I have actually got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got a business financial obligation due to the fact that of Covid. It’s just another problem.’

The business was noted to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, however the action was suspended 9 days later and stopped on April 28, 2023.

Records also 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 accounts for the period ending on July 31, 2020.

The company’s represent 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 also owned by the Soo Yoga Group, was set up in December 2021 and liquified 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 also integrated and voluntarily struck off on the same dates.

A fifth 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 increased to popularity as a candidate on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show simply months before the Covid pandemic (pictured with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has since shed light on the cash woes some Strictly stars can deal with, and shared that he was plunged into debt when his dance trip was cancelled in 2020

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

While the star had actually previously wished to start a new era of dance success by leaving the program, the pandemic forced him to cancel his scheduled dance trip, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into debt.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ clarified the cash troubles some Strictly stars can deal with after leaving the program.

He said: ‘We had a business where we were running our own tour and the tour was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers due to the fact that, personally, I seemed like that was the best thing to do. We wound 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 hard decision to be made, but that’s what it is when you are running your own business.

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

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his good friends think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, however, he discussed that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he earns is nowhere near that.

The dancer said: ‘I think a lot of people anticipate you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and quickly 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 positive thing in this day and age, however many people do not really wish to speak about their financial resources.

‘And I believe individuals are intrigued by money. People enjoy to see numbers and like to see good 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 big cash deals and AJ says some people have no concept how to handle that kind of amount of cash.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘desire to make a difference’ and have actually established ‘using our own money’ a monetary investment firm called FINT to help to ‘inform’ people.

AJ became really open about how in some cases the TV bookings and photoshoots can suddenly stop and stars need to find out how to ‘adapt’ their career.

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his pals think 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 market, the entertainment market and a great deal of other markets today since a lot of individuals are being laid off. It does use your psychological health if you do not have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested cash, from my extremely first pay check on Strictly I’ve always had 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 require it.

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

‘It’s essential that people go into these big shows 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 facing the cost of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no different and is routinely snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s observed the significant boost in everyday items.

He explained: ‘Every day I’m reminded reality. I brought up at the gas pump today and the diesel was 10p more costly due to choices that have been made much higher up than my paycheck. That’s the genuine world.

‘I was like, ‘What 10p more pricey from yesterday to today’, like that’s insane. I believe people forget, the cost of living and inflation’s gone up.

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

Robin Windsor

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

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

The dancer was discovered 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 facing an ‘active proposal’ to be struck off.

The company Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed almost ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, however owed lenders ₤ 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 directed incomes from a ‘wide range of agreements to offer carrying out arts services within the media industry’, paperwork stated.

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 published 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 revealed his company had actually not traded for a long time (visualized on the show in 2013)

He likewise remembered one time he made ‘silly money’, telling This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were as soon as paid ₤ 10,000 each to stay 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 stated: ‘All of an unexpected, I was generating income I had just dreamt about. I most likely made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not just from Strictly however from work off the back of the program such as the trip and personal performances.

‘When you’re on prime-time TV, everybody desires 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 enjoy it, and he entered into a ‘consistent decline’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was dramatically sacked by employers in 2015 following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott

Following his from the program, Graziano attempted to cash on his looks on the show, with customised video messages on Cameo

Graziano was once considered a favourite amongst Strictly fans, however in 2015 he was significantly sacked by managers following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later verified and regretted his actions versus Zara.

Addressing his exit from the program, a ‘ravaged’ Di Prima wrote on Instagram: ‘I deeply regret the events that caused my departure from Strictly.

Strictly Come Dancing rich list: The professional dancers waltzing all the way to the bank after earning MILLIONS thanks to the program

‘My intense enthusiasm and determination to win might have impacted my training routine.

‘While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s just right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am distressed that I wasn’t allowed to offer a quote to the online newspaper article, and I take on board the level of sensitivity of the situation.

‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to talk about at this time, however I am committed to being strong for my household and good friends. I wish the Strictly family 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 refer to himself as a ‘expert dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have cashed in on their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For many fans, Oti is thought about among Strictly’s most effective exports, with the dancer crowned series champion for two years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

Since then, 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 Star Get Me Out Of Here! last year

For lots of 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 salary before she left the program in 2022, and because her exit has actually accumulated a huge fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Ever since, 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, adding to a rumoured fortune of more than ₤ 1.4 million.

Before joining the Strictly lineup, Oti likewise 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 established with her husband Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has actually noted assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its most recent accounts.

In 2022, Oti also signed a big-money offer to collaborate with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence boosting’ underclothing variety, and she and partner Marius likewise share a ₤ 590,000 London mansion.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of properties in 4 private companies, which they co-own. consisting of the home firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in assets as of last year.

And Oti has actually only contributed to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! where she was apparently 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 actually moneyed in with a string of phase roles

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t always been easy, exposing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his car while trying to kickstart his carrying out 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 company Supreme Dance stated ₤ 104,993 in its newest possessions with ₤ 42,234 remaining after costs.

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t always been easy, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his automobile while attempting to kickstart his performing profession, while handling it with an office task.

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

‘I spent loads of time sleeping in my cars and truck – basically 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 task after job – normal workplace jobs, just attempting to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was basically searching in my wallet going, I’ve simply been fired from another task. I have actually got 4 lessons tomorrow; I already can’t spend for two of them.

‘I’m going to need to blag it with the instructor and say, » Oh, there’s been an issue at the bank. I’m going to need to offer 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 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 fit 2 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 capitalized their joint weight loss in current years, establishing a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe.

The pair sold their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have because scaled down to a home more ‘suitable’ for their child Ella.

Much of their earnings 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 cash by offering signed photos for ₤ 9.50 while Ola offers dance lessons to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC