How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Wound Up In Debt

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

Whether it be the vigorous hours of training, or being an on-screen fixture 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 been presumed that Strictly experts must make a quite penny, and years of success, through their time on the program, for most it’s an entirely various story.

Pros who have bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor over the last few years have shared their battles with piling financial obligations and money woes, with some even facing the possibility of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the newest stars to be struck by the notorious ‘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 been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly stars’ paychecks to expose the truth about how for numerous, the cash stops as soon 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 (pictured on the show in 2013)

Kristina previously 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 fears that they might lose their home after being struck by cash issues, with Ben laying bare their financial concerns in court.

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

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

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

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

The couple were left with debilitating financial obligations 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 battle not to lose everything – to lose my cars and trucks and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared fears that they could lose their home after being hit by cash troubles, with Ben laying bare their financial problems in court (visualized in 2021)

When questioned about the strains 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 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 service financial obligation due to the fact that of Covid. It’s just another problem.’

The company was listed to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, however the action was suspended 9 days later on and ceased on April 28, 2023.

Records also reveal that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was effectively ₤ 6,633 at a loss, considering 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 almost 29 months overdue.

Another business called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is likewise owned by the Soo Yoga Group, was established in December 2021 and liquified 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 exact same dates.

A fifth business called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred 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 almost 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ first rose to popularity as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply months before the Covid pandemic (envisioned with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has given that clarify the cash troubles some Strictly stars can deal with, and shared that he was plunged into debt when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

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

While the star had previously hoped to kickstart a new era of dance success by leaving the program, the pandemic forced him to cancel his organized dance trip, plunging himself and brother Curtis into debt.

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

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

‘We didn’t make money, myself or Curtis, however 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 absolutely did appreciate it. I maybe didn’t appreciate the debt that I was left in however, hello, it’s a decision that was made.’

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his good friends think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, however, he discussed 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 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 restricted business, that’s not even close.

‘I think openness is a favorable thing in this day and age, however the majority of people don’t actually wish to discuss their finances.

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

After leaving shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a number of big money offers and AJ says some people have no concept how to handle that type of amount of money.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘want to make a difference’ and have established ‘utilizing our own cash’ a financial investment firm called FINT to help to ‘educate’ individuals.

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

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his good 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 actually hard I think in our market, the show business and a great deal of other today since a great deal of people are being laid off. It does play on your mental health if you don’t have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested money, from my very first pay check on Strictly I’ve always had actually that cash invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a job 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 just in some cases having to change what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a bit. Adapting is hard but you do have to adjust often.

‘It’s essential that individuals go into these huge programs that they’re taking pleasure in however 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, individuals are facing the expense of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no different and is frequently snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s observed the dramatic boost in everyday products.

He described: ‘Every day I’m brought back to truth. I pulled up at the petrol pump today and the diesel was 10p more expensive due to choices that have actually been made much higher up than my paycheck. That’s the real life.

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

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

Robin Windsor

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

The dancer was found dead in a London hotel in February in 2015, 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 dealing with an ‘active proposition’ to be struck off.

The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed almost ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, however owed financial institutions ₤ 15,000, suggesting 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 funnelled revenues from a ‘wide array of contracts to provide carrying out arts services within the media industry’, documentation stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been working on a Fred Olsen Cruise – along with fellow Strictly professional Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and posted photos 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 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 some time (pictured on the show in 2013)

He likewise remembered 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 luxury 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: ‘All of a sudden, I was generating income I had actually just dreamt about. I probably made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not just from Strictly however from work off the back of the show such as the trip and private performances.

‘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 allowed to return that he could not bear to watch it, and he went into a ‘steady decrease’ after leaving the program.

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 show, Graziano attempted to cash on his appearances on the program, with customised video messages on Cameo

Graziano was as soon as considered a favourite among Strictly fans, however last year he was dramatically sacked by bosses following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later validated and regretted his actions versus Zara.

Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘devastated’ Di Prima wrote on Instagram: ‘I deeply are sorry for the events that led to my departure from Strictly.

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

‘My extreme enthusiasm and determination to win may have impacted my training regime.

‘While respecting the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s only 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 situation.

‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to go over at this time, but I am dedicated to being strong for my friends and family. I wish the Strictly household absolutely nothing but success in the future.’

Following his departure from the show, Graziano tried 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 refer to himself as a ‘professional dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

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

Since then, she has actually looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and likewise made a reported ₤ 200,000 fee for her stint on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For lots of fans, Oti is thought about 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 income before she left the program in 2022, and considering that her exit has actually accumulated a huge fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

Ever since, she has actually 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 joining the Strictly lineup, Oti likewise 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 other half Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has actually listed possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its newest accounts.

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

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of properties in 4 private companies, which they co-own. consisting of the home firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in properties as of in 2015.

And Oti has just added to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! where she was apparently paid a ₤ 200,000 charge.

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champion 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 actually formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his cars and truck while attempting to kickstart his carrying out profession

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

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

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, exposing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his cars and truck while trying to kickstart his performing profession, while managing it with a workplace task.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he stated: ‘If there’s nobody there, I’ll sleep in my automobile and after that I can manage 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I invested loads of time oversleeping my vehicle – generally living out of my vehicle – 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 job after task – normal office jobs, simply trying to sustain my dancer profession.

‘I was generally looking in my wallet going, I have actually simply been fired from another task. I’ve got 4 lessons tomorrow; I already can’t pay for 2 of them.

‘I’m going to need to blag it with the instructor and state,” Oh, there’s been an issue at the bank. I’m going to have to give you the cash on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually capitalized their joint weight reduction in current years, setting up a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly 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 few years later for the All Stars version and won Dancing On Ice in 2019.

The couple have actually cashed in on their joint weight-loss recently, establishing a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per 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 ‘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 costs.

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC