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

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

Whether it be the vigorous hours of training, or being an on-screen component for weeks on end, the program’s expert dancers have helped make the series a fascinating watch throughout the fall months.

However, while it has been assumed that Strictly experts must make a quite penny, and years of success, through their time on the show, for most it’s a wholly various story.

Pros who have bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor over the last few years have shared their battles with piling financial obligations and money problems, with some even dealing with the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the latest stars to be struck by the notorious ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the severe monetary difficulties they had recently experienced are believed to have been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly stars’ incomes to reveal the reality about how for lots of, the cash 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 monetary problems are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (envisioned on the program in 2013)

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

However, in 2015, the couple shared fears that they could lose their home after being hit by money troubles, with Ben laying bare their financial problems in court.

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

Giving proof throughout the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, confessed he had actually mishandled the handling of their vehicle insurance policy and informed how he was ‘fighting to save his relationship and home’.

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

‘Those near to them who know them as a couple had 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 debilitating financial obligations after they ploughed 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 whatever – to lose my automobiles and my house and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

Last year the couple shared fears that they might lose their home after being hit by cash issues, with Ben laying bare their financial concerns in court (envisioned 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 business together so the problem is that we opened business before Covid and we got the worst severities of it and in all honestly this is just another problem for me to deal with.

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

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

Records also expose that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was efficiently ₤ 6,633 in the red, taking into account future liabilities, in its last accounts for 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 company called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is likewise owned by the Soo Yoga Group, was set up in December 2021 and liquified 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 three other people was likewise included and voluntarily struck off on the very same dates.

A 5th business called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred 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 initially increased to fame as a candidate on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show simply months before the Covid pandemic (visualized with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has considering that shed light on the cash troubles some Strictly stars can deal with, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance trip was cancelled in 2020

AJ first increased to fame 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 hoped to kickstart a new age of dance success by leaving the show, the pandemic forced him to cancel his scheduled dance tour, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into financial obligation.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ clarified the money issues 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 cut brief. We paid all of our dancers due to the fact that, personally, I seemed like that was the best thing to do. We ended up with a barrel bill which came out of our own pocket.

‘We didn’t get paid, myself or Curtis, however 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 company.

‘They absolutely did value it. I maybe didn’t appreciate the debt that I was left in however, hello, it’s a choice that was made.’

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his friends believe 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 believe a lot of individuals expect you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and quickly be a millionaire. Once you have actually paid your tax and your VAT, and if you’re a limited business, that’s not even close.

‘I think openness is a favorable thing in this day and age, however the majority of people do not actually wish to speak about their finances.

‘And I think people are captivated by cash. People love to see numbers and like to see great 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 huge money offers and AJ says some people have no idea how to manage that type of amount of money.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a distinction’ and have established ‘utilizing our own money’ a financial investment firm called FINT to assist to ‘educate’ individuals.

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

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

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

‘It is necessary that people go into these huge shows that they’re taking pleasure in however they have a profession behind them like myself and Curt. We’re both professional dancers, we can go all over the world and teach.’

Every day, individuals are dealing with the expense of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no different and is routinely snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s observed the significant increase in everyday items.

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

‘I was like, ‘What 10p more expensive from the other day to today’, like that’s crazy. I believe individuals forget, the expense of living and inflation’s gone up.

‘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 individuals this year and I don’t think it’s going to get any easier.’

Robin Windsor

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

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

The dancer was discovered dead in a London hotel in February in 2015, and in the wake of his passing it was revealed his company had actually not traded for some time and according to Companies House Records was dealing with an ‘active proposal’ to be struck off.

The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed almost ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, but owed financial institutions ₤ 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 company and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the business, which was paid back.

The company had actually transported earnings from a ‘variety of agreements to provide carrying out arts services within the media industry’, paperwork stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been dealing with a Fred Olsen Cruise – together with fellow Strictly professional Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and posted images 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 pertained 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 company had actually not traded for some time (pictured on the show in 2013)

He also remembered one time he earned ‘ridiculous cash’, telling This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were as soon as paid ₤ 10,000 each to stay in a luxury resort in Mauritius for a week and dance the cha-cha-cha at an occasion. Our dance lasted 2 minutes.’

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

He said: ‘Suddenly, I was generating income I had actually just dreamt about. I most likely made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not just from Strictly but from work off the back of the show such as the trip and personal performances.

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

Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin stated he became so ‘bitter’ about not being allowed to return that he could not bear to see it, and he went into a ‘consistent decline’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was considerably sacked by bosses last year following claims of gross misconduct towards his former celeb partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was once considered a favourite among Strictly fans, however in 2015 he was considerably sacked by managers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later on confirmed and regretted his actions versus Zara.

Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘devastated’ Di Prima wrote on Instagram: ‘I deeply regret 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 earning MILLIONS thanks to the program

‘My extreme enthusiasm and decision to win may have impacted my training routine.

‘While appreciating the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s just ideal for the sake of the program that I step away. I am distressed that I wasn’t enabled to provide a quote to the online newspaper article, and I take on board the level of sensitivity of the scenario.

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

Following his departure from the show, Graziano tried 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 describe himself as a ‘expert dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have actually capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For many fans, Oti is thought about one of Strictly’s most effective exports, with the dancer crowned series champion for 2 years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

Ever since, she has appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and likewise earned a reported ₤ 200,000 fee for her stint on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For lots of fans, Oti is considered one of 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 salary before she left the program in 2022, and because her exit has collected a big fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Since then, she has appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was also a panellist on The Masked Dancer, and BBC’s The Greatest Dancer, contributing to a rumoured fortune of more than ₤ 1.4 million.

Before joining 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 spouse Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has noted properties of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money offer to team up with Bravissimo on a ‘self-confidence improving’ underclothing range, and she and other half 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. including the property company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in assets since in 2015.

And Oti has only added 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 fee.

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was Strictly champion 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 previously shared that it hasn’t always been simple, exposing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his automobile while attempting to kickstart his carrying out profession

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

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

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his automobile while trying to kickstart his performing career, while juggling it with an office task.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he said: ‘If there’s no one there, I’ll oversleep my vehicle and then I can pay for two of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I spent loads of time sleeping in my car – generally living out of my vehicle – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People believe we live these simple, showbiz, attractive lives and it’s not like that.

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

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

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

Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually cashed in on their joint weight-loss over the last few years, establishing a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his spouse Ola doing the same 2 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 capitalized their joint weight-loss recently, establishing a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe.

The pair sold their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have since downsized to a home more ‘appropriate’ for their daughter Ella.

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC