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

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

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

However, while it has been assumed that Strictly professionals need to earn a pretty penny, and years of success, through their time on the program, for most it’s a wholly various story.

Pros who have bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor over the last few years have actually shared their battles with piling debts and cash issues, with some even facing the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become 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 troubles they had recently experienced are believed to have actually lagged their split.

MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly stars’ paychecks to reveal the fact about how for lots of, 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 financial difficulties are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (envisioned on the show in 2013)

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

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

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

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

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

‘Those near 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 looks like there’s no going back.’

The couple were entrusted crippling debts after they tilled every penny 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 whatever – 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 money issues, with Ben laying bare their financial troubles in court (visualized in 2021)

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

‘We’re in company together so the problem is that we opened the business before Covid and we got the worst seriousness of it and in all truthfully this is simply another issue for me to deal with.

‘I’ve got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got a service debt because 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 nine days later on and discontinued 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 efficiently ₤ 6,633 at a loss, considering future liabilities, in its last represent the duration 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 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 filing accounts.

A 4th business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by 3 other individuals was also included and voluntarily struck off on the exact same dates.

A fifth company called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred 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 past due, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ initially increased to fame as a contestant 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 because shed light on the cash troubles some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

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

While the star had formerly wished to start a brand-new era of dance success by departing the show, the pandemic required him to cancel his scheduled dance tour, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into debt.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ shed light on the cash troubles some Strictly stars can face after leaving the program.

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 felt like that was the ideal thing to do. We wound up with a VAT costs which came out of our own pocket.

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

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

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his buddies think 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 said: ‘I believe a lot of people anticipate you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and instantly be a millionaire. Once you have actually paid your tax and your VAT, and if you’re a restricted company, that’s not even close.

‘I believe transparency is a positive thing in this day and age, however most people don’t actually desire to speak about their financial resources.

‘And I think individuals are interested by cash. People like to see numbers and enjoy to see nice 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 thrown into a variety of big cash offers and AJ says some individuals have no concept how to deal with that kind of sum of money.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘desire to make a difference’ and have established ‘using our own cash’ a financial investment business called FINT to assist to ‘inform’ individuals.

AJ ended up being really open about how in some cases the TV reservations and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars have to discover how to ‘adjust’ their career.

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

He continued: ‘It’s really tough I believe in our market, the show business and a lot of other industries right now due to the fact that a great deal of individuals are being laid off. It does play on your psychological health if you do not have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested money, from my very first salary on Strictly I have actually constantly had actually that money invested into various 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 constantly jobs out there. It’s just often needing to alter what it is you believe you are going to do and adapt a little bit. Adapting is tough however you do need to adjust in some cases.

‘It’s essential that people go into these big shows that they’re enjoying but they have an occupation behind them like myself and Curt. We’re both professional 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 different and is regularly snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s discovered the remarkable boost in daily products.

He described: ‘Every single day I’m reminded reality. I pulled up at the fuel pump today and the diesel was 10p more expensive due to choices that have actually been made much higher up than my income. That’s the real life.

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

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

Robin Windsor

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

Despite pulling in an impressive ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately died with simply ₤ 879 in his company’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 exposed his firm had 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, but owed financial institutions ₤ 15,000, meaning 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 company and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the business, which was repaid.

The company had actually directed incomes from a ‘large range of agreements to offer carrying out arts services within the media market’, documentation 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 pictures 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 found 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 also recalled one time he made ‘silly money’, informing This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were once 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 remembered in September 2022 that the ‘finest’ year of his financial life was 2010, ‘my first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He said: ‘All of an abrupt, I was making money I had only dreamt about. I most likely made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not simply from Strictly however from work off the back of the program 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 said he became so ‘bitter’ about not being allowed to return that he couldn’t bear to view it, and he went into a ‘stable decline’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was drastically sacked by employers 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 looks on the program, with customised video messages on Cameo

Graziano was when thought about a preferred among Strictly fans, but in 2015 he was drastically sacked by employers 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 ‘devastated’ 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 professional dancers waltzing all the way to the bank after making MILLIONS thanks to the show

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

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

‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my household and pals. I want the Strictly household absolutely nothing but success in the future.’

Following his departure from the show, Graziano attempted to cash on his looks on the show, with personalised 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 actually cashed in on their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

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

Since then, she has 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 many 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.

The dancer was reported to be on a ₤ 410,000 wage before she left the show in 2022, and considering that her exit has collected a huge fortune with a string of successful 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, adding 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 set up in February 2017, and has listed properties of ₤ 510,953, according to its newest accounts.

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

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of properties in 4 personal business, which they co-own. including the residential or commercial property firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in assets as of last year.

And Oti has only added to her fortune in current months by appearing on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! where she was supposedly 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 always been simple, exposing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his automobile while attempting to start his carrying out profession

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

His firm Supreme ₤ 104,993 in its most current possessions with ₤ 42,234 remaining after bills.

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t always been easy, exposing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his vehicle while attempting to kickstart his carrying out career, while managing it with a workplace task.

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

‘I spent loads of time sleeping in my cars and truck – essentially living out of my cars and truck – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People think we live these simple, showbiz, glamorous lives and it’s not like that.

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

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

‘I’m going to have to blag it with the instructor and say,” Oh, there’s been a problem 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 cashed in on their joint weight-loss in the last few years, setting up a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his partner Ola following fit two 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 actually capitalized their joint weight reduction in the last few years, setting up a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe.

The set sold their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have since scaled down to a home more ‘ideal’ for their daughter Ella.

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC