How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have actually Ended up In Debt

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

Whether it be the tireless hours of training, or being an on-screen component for weeks on end, the show’s professional dancers have helped make the series a fascinating watch throughout the autumn months.

However, while it has been assumed that Strictly experts need to make a pretty cent, and years of success, through their time on the show, for most it’s a completely various story.

Pros who have bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor in the last few years have shared their battles with stacking financial obligations and cash concerns, with some even facing the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the current stars to be hit by the infamous ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the severe financial troubles they had actually recently experienced are thought to have been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly stars’ incomes to expose the reality about how for numerous, the money stops as quickly as the ballroom lights go dark …

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly’s popular dancers have wound up in debt – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial problems are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (imagined on the show in 2013)

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

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

The level of the couple’s struggles were laid bare in unusual circumstances – during 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 car insurance coverage and informed how he was ‘fighting to conserve his relationship and home’.

A pal of the couple informed the Mail he stated: ‘The previous 6 months have been hell for them and it has actually torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their household, they have actually picked to go forward as different people.

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

The couple were left with debilitating financial obligations after they ploughed every penny 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 automobiles and my house and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

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

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

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

‘I’ve got credit cards that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got an organization financial obligation due to the fact that of Covid. It’s simply 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 terminated 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 efficiently ₤ 6,633 in the red, considering future liabilities, in its last accounts for the period ending on July 31, 2020.

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

Another company 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 4th company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by 3 other people was likewise included and voluntarily struck off on the exact same dates.

A fifth 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 also nearly 29 months past due, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ initially increased to popularity as a candidate on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic (imagined with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has because shed light on the cash woes 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 popularity as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had actually formerly hoped to start a new era of dance success by departing the program, the pandemic required him to cancel his planned dance trip, plunging himself and bro Curtis into financial obligation.

Speaking with MailOnline, AJ shed light on the cash concerns some Strictly stars can deal with after leaving the show.

He said: ‘We had a company where we were running our own trip and the trip was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers due to the fact that, personally, I felt like that was the ideal thing to do. We wound up with a barrel bill 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 hard choice to be made, but that’s what it is when you are running your own business.

‘They definitely did value it. I maybe didn’t value the financial obligation that I was left in but, hi, it’s a choice that was made.’

AJ said it is hard when a lot 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 lot of people anticipate you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and quickly 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 believe openness is a favorable thing in this day and age, however the majority of people don’t really desire to discuss their financial resources.

‘And I believe individuals are interested by money. People like to see numbers and enjoy to see good things, and a lot of times you require to live within your own means.’

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a variety of big money deals and AJ states some people have no idea how to manage that type of sum of cash.

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

AJ became really open about how sometimes the TV reservations and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars need to discover how to ‘adapt’ their career.

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his pals 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 hard I believe in our industry, the show business and a great deal of other markets today due to the fact that a lot of people are being laid off. It does play on your mental health if you do not have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have actually invested cash, from my very first pay check on Strictly I’ve always had that cash invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work in six months time, I do have cash there that I can make use of if I need it.

‘And at the end of the day, there are always jobs out there. It’s simply often needing to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a bit. Adapting is tough but you do have to adapt often.

‘It is necessary that individuals go into these huge programs that they’re delighting 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 dealing with the expense of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no various and is frequently snapped back into the ‘real world’ as he’s discovered the remarkable boost in everyday items.

He explained: ‘Every single day I’m reminded truth. I pulled up at the gas pump today and the diesel was 10p more pricey due to choices that have actually been made much greater 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 think people forget, the cost of living and inflation’s gone up.

‘Even when inflation boils down, it does not indicate that it returns to what it was. Life is going to be difficult for a lot of individuals this year and I don’t think it’s going to get any simpler.’

Robin Windsor

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

Despite pulling in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately passed away with simply ₤ 879 in his company’s service 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 firm had 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 almost ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, but owed lenders ₤ 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 business and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the business, which was repaid.

The company had actually carried earnings from a ‘broad range of agreements to supply 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 – alongside 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 not traded for some time (envisioned on the program in 2013)

He likewise recalled one time he made ‘ridiculous cash’, telling 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 2 minutes.’

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

He stated: ‘Suddenly, I was generating income I had actually just dreamt about. I probably made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not simply from Strictly but from work off the back of the program such as the tour and personal performances.

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

Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin said he ended up being so ‘bitter’ about not being enabled 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 employers last year following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was as soon as thought about a favourite amongst Strictly fans, but last year he was significantly sacked by managers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later on confirmed 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 list: The expert dancers waltzing all the method to the bank after making MILLIONS thanks to the show

‘My intense passion and decision to win might have affected my training routine.

‘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 allowed to use a quote to the online newspaper article, and I take on board the sensitivity of the scenario.

‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to talk about at this time, however I am committed to being strong for my family and friends. I want the Strictly family absolutely nothing but success in the future.’

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

And the stars who have actually cashed in on their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For numerous fans, Oti is considered among Strictly’s most effective exports, with the dancer crowned series champ for 2 years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

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

For numerous fans, Oti is considered among Strictly’s most effective exports, with the dancer crowned series champion for two 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 since her exit has amassed a huge fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Since then, she has looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was likewise 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 an expert dancer on Strictly’s German equivalent, Let’s Dance.

Oti is noted as a director of Pure Mabuse Limited, which she set up with her husband Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has actually listed properties of ₤ 510,953, according to its most current accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money deal to work together with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence boosting’ underclothing range, and she and husband Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London mansion.

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

And Oti has actually only included to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Star 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 show in 2020, has actually cashed in with a string of stage functions

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his cars and truck while attempting to start his performing profession

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

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

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, exposing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his car while attempting to start his performing profession, while managing it with an office job.

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

‘I invested loads of time oversleeping 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, attractive lives and it’s not like that.

‘There’s been times where I was just getting fired from job after task – typical workplace jobs, simply attempting to sustain my dancer profession.

‘I was essentially looking in my wallet going, I have actually just been fired from another task. I have actually got 4 lessons tomorrow; I currently can’t spend for 2 of them.

‘I’m going to have to blag it with the instructor and state,” Oh, there’s been a problem at the bank. I’m going to have to offer you the money on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually cashed in on their joint weight-loss in current years, establishing a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe

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

James has 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 cashed in on 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 estate for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have given that scaled down to a home more ‘appropriate’ for their daughter Ella.

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC