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 hefty fortune.

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

However, while it has actually been assumed that Strictly professionals should make a pretty cent, and years of success, through their time on the show, for a lot of it’s a completely various story.

Pros who have actually bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor recently have shared their struggles with stacking debts and money problems, with some even facing the possibility of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the most current stars to be struck by the infamous ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the extreme monetary troubles they had actually just recently experienced are believed 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 soon as the ballroom lights go dark …

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly’s popular dancers have actually wound up in financial obligation – as Kristina Rihanoff’s monetary troubles are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (imagined on the show in 2013)

Kristina previously appeared on Strictly as a professional from 2008 to 2015, making headlines when she began a romance with her celebrity partner Ben Cohen.

However, last year, the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being struck by cash concerns, with Ben laying bare their financial issues in court.

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

Giving proof during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, admitted he had actually bungled the handling of their cars and truck insurance plan and told how he was ‘fighting to conserve his relationship and home’.

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

‘Those close 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 crippling financial obligations after they ploughed 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 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 hit by cash woes, with Ben laying bare their monetary concerns in court (imagined in 2021)

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

‘We stay in business 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 simply another issue for me to handle.

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

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

The business’s represent the year ending in July 2021 have actually still not been filed and are now almost 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 4th company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by 3 other people was also included 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 consideration future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are likewise nearly 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ initially increased to fame as an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply 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 tour was cancelled in 2020

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

While the star had actually formerly intended to kickstart a new age of dance success by departing the program, the pandemic forced him to cancel his planned dance tour, plunging himself and brother Curtis into debt.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ shed light on the cash troubles some Strictly stars can deal with after leaving the show.

He said: ‘We had a company where we were running our own trip and the trip was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers because, personally, I seemed like that was the right thing to do. We wound up with a barrel bill which came out of our own pocket.

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

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

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

The dancer stated: ‘I believe 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 minimal business, that’s not even close.

‘I believe transparency is a favorable thing in this day and age, but many people do not actually desire to talk about their finances.

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

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a variety of big money offers and AJ says some individuals have no concept how to deal with that sort of amount of cash.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘desire to make a distinction’ and have established ‘utilizing our own money’ a monetary investment firm called FINT to assist to ‘educate’ individuals.

AJ became really open about how in some cases the TV reservations and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars need to learn how to ‘adapt’ 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 think in our industry, the entertainment industry and a lot of other markets right now 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 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 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 tasks out there. It’s just often needing to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a bit. Adapting is hard but you do need to adjust often.

‘It is essential that individuals go into these big shows that they’re delighting in however they have a profession behind them like myself and Curt. We’re both expert dancers, we can go all over the world and teach.’

Every day, people are dealing with the expense of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no various and is regularly snapped back into the ‘real world’ as he’s discovered the remarkable boost in daily products.

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

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

‘Even when inflation boils down, it doesn’t imply 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 believe it’s going to get any much easier.’

Robin Windsor

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

Despite drawing in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically passed away with just ₤ 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 company had actually not traded for a long time and according to Companies House Records was dealing with an ‘active proposition’ to be struck off.

The company Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed almost ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, however owed financial institutions ₤ 15,000, meaning it was ₤ 8,350 in the red.

At the height of his star 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 company had actually directed revenues from a ‘wide range of agreements to provide carrying out arts services within the media industry’, documentation stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been dealing with 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 pertained to 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 some time (envisioned on the program in 2013)

He likewise recalled one time he made ‘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 occasion. Our dance lasted two minutes.’

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

He stated: ‘All of an abrupt, I was generating income I had just dreamt about. I most likely made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not simply from Strictly however from work off the back of the show such as the tour and private performances.

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

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin said he became so ‘bitter’ about not being permitted to return that he could not bear to enjoy it, and he entered into a ‘steady decline’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was considerably sacked by bosses last year following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former celebrity partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was as soon as thought about a favourite among Strictly fans, but last year he was considerably sacked by managers following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous celeb partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later confirmed and regretted his actions against Zara.

Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘ravaged’ Di Prima wrote on Instagram: ‘I deeply regret the occasions that caused 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 show

‘My extreme enthusiasm and determination to win might have affected my training regime.

‘While respecting the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s only right for the sake of the program that I step away. I am distressed that I wasn’t enabled to use a quote to the online news stories, 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, but I am dedicated to being strong for my household and pals. I want the Strictly household absolutely nothing however success in the future.’

Following his departure from the program, Graziano attempted 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 describe himself as a ‘expert dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

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

Oti Mabuse

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

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

For many fans, Oti is considered one of 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 income before she left the program in 2022, and since her exit has amassed a big fortune with a string of effective 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, contributing to a rumoured fortune of more than ₤ 1.4 million.

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

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

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of possessions in 4 personal companies, which they co-own. including the property firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in possessions as of in 2015.

And Oti has actually only contributed to her fortune in recent 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 champion in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the show in 2020, has moneyed in with a string of stage roles

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, revealing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his automobile while trying to kickstart his carrying out profession

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 latest possessions with ₤ 42,234 remaining after bills.

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his car while attempting to kickstart his performing profession, while juggling it with a workplace task.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he stated: ‘If there’s nobody there, I’ll oversleep my car and then I can afford two of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I invested loads of time sleeping in my vehicle – essentially living out of my automobile – 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 just getting fired from task after job – normal office jobs, just attempting to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was generally searching in my wallet going, I’ve just been fired from another task. I have actually got four lessons tomorrow; I already can’t pay for two of them.

‘I’m going to have to blag it with the teacher and say,” Oh, there’s been an issue at the bank. I’m going to have 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 over the last few years, setting up a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his wife Ola doing the same two 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 actually capitalized their joint weight reduction recently, establishing a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe.

The set sold their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have actually since scaled down to a home more ‘suitable’ for their daughter Ella.

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

They make extra money by offering signed photos for ₤ 9.50 while Ola uses dance lessons to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC