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

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

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

However, while it has actually been presumed that Strictly experts should earn a quite cent, and years of success, through their time on the show, for most it’s a completely different story.

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

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the newest stars to be hit by the notorious ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the serious financial problems they had actually recently experienced are believed to have been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the glitter 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 actually ended up in financial obligation – as Kristina Rihanoff’s monetary problems are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (visualized on the program in 2013)

Kristina formerly appeared on Strictly as an expert from 2008 to 2015, making headlines when she began a romance with her star partner Ben Cohen.

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

The degree of the couple’s struggles were laid bare in unusual situations – throughout a court look 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 mishandled the handling of their vehicle insurance coverage and informed how he was ‘battling to save his relationship and home’.

A buddy of the couple informed 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 chosen to move forward as different people.

‘Those near them who understand 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 left with debilitating 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 informed the court: ‘I get up every day and I combat not to lose whatever – to lose my cars and my house and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared worries that they could lose their home after being struck by money troubles, with Ben laying bare their monetary woes in court (pictured in 2021)

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

‘We’re in organization together so the problem is that we opened the 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 service financial obligation because of Covid. It’s simply another issue.’

The company was listed to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, however the action was suspended nine days later and discontinued on April 28, 2023.

Records also expose that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 percent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was efficiently ₤ 6,633 at a loss, considering 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 overdue.

Another business 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 submitting accounts.

A fourth business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other individuals was likewise included and voluntarily struck off on the very 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 almost 29 months overdue, 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 (imagined with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has because clarify the cash problems 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 fame as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had formerly wished to kickstart a brand-new era of dance success by departing the show, the pandemic forced him to cancel his planned dance trip, plunging himself and bro Curtis into debt.

Speaking with MailOnline, AJ clarified the cash troubles some Strictly stars can deal with after leaving the show.

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 ideal thing to do. We ended up with a VAT costs 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 difficult choice to be made, but that’s what it is when you are running your own business.

‘They absolutely did appreciate it. I possibly didn’t value the debt that I was left in but, hi, 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 discussed that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he earns is nowhere near that.

The dancer stated: ‘I believe a great deal of people expect 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 company, that’s not even close.

‘I believe transparency is a favorable thing in this day and age, however many individuals don’t actually wish to speak about their finances.

‘And I believe people are captivated by cash. People like to see numbers and like to see great things, and a great deal of times you require to live within your own methods.’

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a number of huge money offers and AJ states some people have no idea how to deal with that kind of amount of cash.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a distinction’ and have actually set up ‘utilizing our own money’ a financial investment firm called FINT to assist to ‘inform’ people.

AJ became very open about how in some cases the TV bookings and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars have to find out how to ‘adjust’ their profession.

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his pals believe he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, as after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he makes is no place near that

He continued: ‘It’s actually hard I believe in our market, the show business and a great deal of other industries today since a great deal 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 money, from my really first salary on Strictly I’ve always had actually that money invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a task in 6 months time, I do have cash there that I can make use of if I require it.

‘And at the end of the day, there are always tasks out there. It’s simply often needing to alter what it is you believe you are going to do and adjust a little bit. Adapting is difficult however you do need to adapt sometimes.

‘It is necessary that individuals enter into these big shows that they’re taking pleasure in but 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 facing the cost of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no different and is frequently snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s discovered the remarkable increase in everyday items.

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

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

‘Even when down, it doesn’t suggest that it goes back to what it was. Life is going to be tough for a great deal of people this year and I don’t think it’s going to get any simpler.’

Robin Windsor

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

Despite pulling in an excellent ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically passed away with simply ₤ 879 in his company’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 revealed his firm had not traded for a long 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, but owed creditors ₤ 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 company, which was paid back.

The company had transported earnings from a ‘variety of agreements to supply performing arts services within the media industry’, paperwork said.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had actually been working on a Fred Olsen Cruise – together with fellow Strictly professional Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and published images of himself when the boat docked in South Africa.

Robin previously told how he was paid ₤ 100,000 a year during 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 revealed his company had not traded for a long time (envisioned on the show in 2013)

He likewise remembered one time he earned ‘silly cash’, telling This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were when 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 2 minutes.’

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

He said: ‘Suddenly, I was making money I had actually only 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 personal efficiencies.

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

Discussing 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 went into a ‘steady decline’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was drastically sacked by bosses in 2015 following claims of gross misconduct 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 as soon as thought about a favourite among Strictly fans, but last year he was considerably sacked by bosses following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

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

Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘ravaged’ Di Prima composed on Instagram: ‘I deeply are sorry for the events that resulted in my departure from Strictly.

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

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

‘While respecting the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s only best for the sake of the program that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t enabled to offer 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 unable to discuss at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my friends and family. I wish the Strictly family absolutely nothing however 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 refer to himself as a ‘expert dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have actually capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For lots of fans, Oti is thought about one of Strictly’s most successful exports, with the dancer crowned series champ for 2 years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

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

For lots of 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 salary before she left the program in 2022, and because her exit has actually amassed a big fortune with a string of effective 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, 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 noted 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 possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti also signed a big-money offer to collaborate with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence increasing’ underclothing range, and she and other half Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in 4 private business, which they co-own. consisting of the residential or commercial property firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in possessions as of in 2015.

And Oti has just contributed to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! where she was supposedly 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 cashed in with a string of phase roles

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t always been easy, exposing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his car while attempting to kickstart his carrying out profession

Since leaving Strictly in 2020, Kevin Clifton has actually required to the stage, 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 staying after expenses.

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t always been easy, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his vehicle while trying to start his performing profession, while managing it with an office task.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he said: ‘If there’s no one there, I’ll oversleep my vehicle and then I can manage 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I spent loads of time sleeping in 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, attractive lives and it’s not like that.

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

‘I was basically searching in my wallet going, I’ve simply been fired from another task. I’ve got four lessons tomorrow; I already can’t pay for 2 of them.

‘I’m going to have to blag it with the teacher and state,” Oh, there’s been an issue at the bank. I’m going to need 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 reduction over the last few years, establishing a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his other half Ola following suit 2 years lateer.

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

The couple have capitalized their joint weight loss recently, setting up a fitness site 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 actually 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 possessions and ₤ 465,002 after expenses.

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC