How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have actually Ended 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 substantial 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 helped make the series a captivating watch throughout the fall months.

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

Pros who have bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor in the last few years have actually shared their battles with piling debts and money woes, with some even dealing with the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the most recent stars to be struck by the infamous ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the extreme financial difficulties they had just recently experienced are thought to have actually been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly stars’ paychecks to expose the fact 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 financial obligation – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial difficulties 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 headlines when she began a romance with her celeb partner Ben Cohen.

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

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

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

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

‘Those near to 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 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 informed the court: ‘I get up every day and I battle not to lose whatever – to lose my vehicles and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

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

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

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

‘I have actually got credit cards 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 listed to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, however the action was suspended nine days later on and stopped on April 28, 2023.

Records likewise reveal that a food services company called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 percent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was effectively ₤ 6,633 at a loss, taking into consideration 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 still not been submitted and are now almost 29 months past due.

Another business called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is likewise 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 company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other individuals was likewise included and willingly struck off on the same dates.

A 5th company called Yoga Wellbeing which is 100 percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 in the red, taking into account future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are also nearly 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

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

But AJ has since shed light on the money concerns some Strictly stars can deal with, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

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

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

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

He said: ‘We had a business 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 best thing to do. We wound up with a barrel expense 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 tough decision to be made, however that’s what it is when you are running your own company.

‘They certainly did appreciate it. I perhaps didn’t appreciate the debt that I was left in but, hey, it’s a choice that was made.’

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his buddies think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, however, he explained that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he makes is nowhere near that.

The dancer said: ‘I think a great deal of individuals expect you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and immediately 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 openness is a positive thing in this day and age, however many people don’t really wish to discuss their finances.

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

After leaving shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a variety of huge money deals and AJ says some people have no concept how to manage that type of sum of cash.

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 financial investment firm called FINT to assist to ‘inform’ people.

AJ became really open about how often the TV reservations and photoshoots can suddenly stop and stars have to learn how to ‘adjust’ their profession.

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his buddies 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 truly difficult I believe in our market, the home entertainment market and a great deal of other markets today because a great deal of individuals are being laid off. It does use your mental health if you do not have that next task.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested cash, from my really first salary on Strictly I’ve constantly had that cash invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work in 6 months time, I do have money 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 just sometimes having to alter what it is you believe you are going to do and adjust a bit. Adapting is tough but you do have to adapt in some cases.

‘It is necessary that people enter into these huge shows that they’re delighting in but they have an occupation behind them like myself and Curt. We’re both expert dancers, we can go all over the world and teach.’

Every day, individuals are facing the expense of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no different and is regularly snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s observed the significant boost in everyday items.

He discussed: ‘Every day I’m reminded truth. I brought up at the petrol pump today and the diesel was 10p more expensive due to decisions that have been made much greater up than my paycheck. That’s the genuine world.

‘I resembled, ‘What 10p more costly from yesterday to today’, like that’s crazy. I think individuals forget, the cost of living and inflation’s increased.

‘Even when inflation comes down, it doesn’t imply that it goes back to what it was. Life is going to be tough for a lot of people this year and I don’t think it’s going to get any much easier.’

Robin Windsor

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

Despite drawing in an impressive ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately died with just ₤ 879 in his company’s company 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 actually not traded for some 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 nearly ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, but owed lenders ₤ 15,000, indicating 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 repaid.

The business had channelled profits from a ‘variety of contracts to provide performing arts services within the media industry’, paperwork stated.

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

Robin formerly 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 found dead in a London hotel in February, and in the wake of his passing it was exposed his company had actually not traded for a long time (pictured on the program in 2013)

He likewise recalled one time he made ‘ridiculous money’, 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 first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He stated: ‘All of an unexpected, I was generating income I had just dreamt about. I probably 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 desires a little slice of you.’

Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin stated he ended up being so ‘bitter’ about not being enabled to return that he couldn’t bear to watch it, and he entered into a ‘steady decline’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was dramatically sacked by managers in 2015 following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former superstar partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was as soon as considered a preferred among Strictly fans, however last year he was drastically sacked by bosses following claims of gross misconduct towards his former superstar partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later validated and regretted his actions versus Zara.

Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘ravaged’ Di Prima composed on Instagram: ‘I deeply are sorry for the occasions that caused 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 show

‘My intense passion and determination to win may have impacted my training regime.

‘While respecting the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s just ideal for the sake of the show that I step away. I am distressed that I wasn’t allowed to use a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the scenario.

‘There’s more to this story that I am not able to go over at this time, however I am committed to being strong for my friends and family. I wish the Strictly absolutely nothing but success in the future.’

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

The dancer charged $100 (₤ 78) for a video message, and continued to describe himself as a ‘professional 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 among Strictly’s most effective exports, with the dancer crowned series champ for two years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

Ever since, she has appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and likewise made a reported ₤ 200,000 charge 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 effective exports, with the dancer crowned series champion for 2 years in a row, in 2019 and 2020.

The dancer was reported to be on a ₤ 410,000 wage before she left the program in 2022, and considering that her exit has collected a substantial fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

Ever since, she has appeared as 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 listed as a director of Pure Mabuse Limited, which she set up with her spouse Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has actually noted possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its newest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money deal to team up with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence improving’ underwear range, and she and husband Marius likewise share a ₤ 590,000 London mansion.

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

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

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his vehicle while attempting to start his performing career

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

His company Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its newest possessions with ₤ 42,234 remaining after expenses.

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t always been easy, revealing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his vehicle while trying to start his carrying out career, while handling it with an office task.

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 manage two of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I invested loads of time sleeping in my cars and truck – 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 – regular workplace jobs, just trying to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was basically looking in my wallet going, I have actually simply been fired from another job. I have actually got four lessons tomorrow; I currently can’t pay for two 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 reduction recently, establishing a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his better half Ola following suit two years lateer.

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

The couple have actually cashed in on their joint weight reduction in recent years, setting up a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe.

The pair offered their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have actually considering that downsized 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 extra money by offering signed pictures for ₤ 9.50 while Ola offers dance lessons to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC