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 assuming that its stars need to be earning a hefty fortune.

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

However, while it has actually been presumed that Strictly professionals should make a pretty penny, and years of success, through their time on the show, for the majority of it’s an entirely different story.

Pros who have actually bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor in the last few years have actually shared their struggles with stacking debts and money issues, with some even facing the prospect of losing their homes.

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

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ paychecks 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 actually ended up in debt – as Kristina Rihanoff’s monetary problems are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (pictured on the show in 2013)

Kristina formerly appeared on Strictly as a professional from 2008 to 2015, making headings when she began a love with her celebrity partner Ben Cohen.

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

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

Giving evidence throughout the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, admitted he had made a mess of the handling of their vehicle insurance coverage and told how he was ‘fighting to save his relationship and home’.

A buddy of the couple informed the Mail he said: ‘The previous six months have actually been hell for them and it has actually torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their household, they have picked to go forward as separate people.

‘Those near to them who understand them as a couple had actually hoped they would be able to work things out however for now it’s over and it looks like there’s no going back.’

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

Last year the couple shared fears that they might lose their home after being struck by cash issues, with Ben laying bare their financial concerns in court (visualized in 2021)

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

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

‘I’ve got credit cards that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have got a company debt since of Covid. It’s simply another problem.’

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

Records also reveal that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 percent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was successfully ₤ 6,633 in the red, taking into account future liabilities, in its last represent the period ending on July 31, 2020.

The business’s represent the year ending in July 2021 have actually still not been submitted and are now nearly 29 months past due.

Another business called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is also owned by the Soo Yoga Group, was established in December 2021 and liquified by a voluntary strike off in February this year without ever filing accounts.

A 4th company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by 3 other people was also incorporated and willingly struck off on the same dates.

A 5th business called Yoga Wellbeing which is 100 percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 at a loss, considering 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 fame as a participant 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 considering that clarify the cash woes some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance trip was cancelled in 2020

AJ first rose to popularity as an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show just months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had formerly wished to start a brand-new period of dance success by departing the program, the pandemic forced him to cancel his planned dance trip, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into debt.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ shed light on 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 tour and the trip was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers because, personally, I seemed like that was the best thing to do. We wound up with a barrel expense which came out of our own pocket.

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

‘They definitely did value it. I maybe didn’t value the debt that I was left in however, 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, nevertheless, he discussed 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 expect you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and instantly be a millionaire. Once you’ve paid your tax and your VAT, and if you’re a limited company, that’s not even close.

‘I think openness is a positive thing in this day and age, however many people don’t really want to speak about their financial resources.

‘And I believe individuals are captivated by cash. People enjoy to see numbers and enjoy to see good things, and a lot of times you need to live within your own methods.’

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

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘desire to make a distinction’ and have set up ‘utilizing our own cash’ a monetary investment business called FINT to assist to ‘inform’ individuals.

AJ became extremely open about how sometimes the TV bookings and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars have to learn how to ‘adapt’ their profession.

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 actually hard I believe in our industry, the entertainment market and a great deal of other markets right now since a lot of individuals are being laid off. It does use your psychological health if you don’t have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have actually invested cash, from my very first pay check on Strictly I’ve constantly had that cash invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a job 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 in some cases having to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adjust a little bit. Adapting is tough but you do have to adapt sometimes.

‘It’s crucial that people enter 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, individuals are dealing with the cost of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no various and is frequently snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s seen the significant increase in everyday items.

He discussed: ‘Every single day I’m brought back to truth. I pulled 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 life.

‘I resembled, ‘What 10p more expensive from yesterday to today’, like that’s crazy. I think individuals forget, the expense of living and inflation’s gone up.

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

Robin Windsor

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

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

The dancer was discovered 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 a long 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 filed accounts, however owed creditors ₤ 15,000, indicating it was ₤ 8,350 in the red.

At the height of his celeb in 2015 and 2016 he held more than ₤ 23,000 in the company and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the business, which was paid back.

The company had actually directed incomes from a ‘broad variety of contracts to offer carrying out arts services within the media industry’, documentation stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had actually been dealing with a Fred Olsen Cruise – along with fellow Strictly expert Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and posted pictures 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 came 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 firm had not traded for some time (imagined on the show in 2013)

He likewise recalled one time he earned ‘silly 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 event. Our dance lasted two minutes.’

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

He stated: ‘Suddenly, I was earning cash I had only dreamt about. I probably made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not simply from Strictly but 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 became so ‘bitter’ about not being to return that he couldn’t 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 celeb partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was when thought about a favourite among Strictly fans, but in 2015 he was dramatically sacked by managers following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous celeb partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later confirmed and regretted his actions versus Zara.

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

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

‘My intense passion and decision to win may have impacted my training routine.

‘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 not able to talk about at this time, however I am dedicated to being strong for my household and pals. I want the Strictly family absolutely nothing but success in the future.’

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

The dancer charged $100 (₤ 78) for a video message, and continued to refer to himself as a ‘professional dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have 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 appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and also earned a reported ₤ 200,000 charge for her stint on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For lots of fans, Oti is considered among Strictly’s most successful 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 show in 2022, and since her exit has generated a big fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

Since then, she has actually appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was also a panellist on The Masked Dancer, and BBC’s The Greatest Dancer, adding 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 noted assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its most current accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money deal to team up with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence boosting’ underclothing variety, and she and partner Marius likewise share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in 4 personal business, which they co-own. including the home company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in possessions as of last year.

And Oti has actually only added 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 fee.

Kevin Clifton

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

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

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

His company Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its newest assets with ₤ 42,234 staying after bills.

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his automobile while attempting to kickstart his carrying out career, while juggling it with an office task.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he stated: ‘If there’s nobody there, I’ll sleep in my cars and truck and after that I can manage two of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I spent loads of time oversleeping my vehicle – essentially living out of my automobile – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People think we live these easy, 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 jobs, simply attempting to sustain my dancer profession.

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

‘I’m going to need to blag it with the teacher and state,” 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 capitalized their joint weight-loss in the last few years, setting up a physical fitness website 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 2 years lateer.

James has actually 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 capitalized their joint weight-loss recently, setting up a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe.

The set sold their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have actually since scaled down to a home more ‘appropriate’ for their daughter 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 earn additional money by offering signed images for ₤ 9.50 while Ola uses dance lessons to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC