How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Ended up In Debt

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

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

However, while it has been presumed that Strictly experts must make a pretty penny, and years of success, through their time on the show, for many it’s an entirely different story.

Pros who have actually bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor over the last few years have shared their battles with piling financial obligations and money issues, 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 love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the extreme monetary difficulties they had actually recently experienced are believed to have actually lagged 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 actually wound up in debt – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial troubles are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (envisioned on the program in 2013)

Kristina formerly 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 might lose their home after being hit by money issues, with Ben laying bare their monetary issues in court.

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

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

A buddy of the couple told the Mail he said: ‘The previous 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 go forward as different individuals.

‘Those near to them who know 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 entrusted to crippling financial obligations after they tilled every cent they had into a yoga studio which plunged into crisis during the Covid pandemic.

In a tortuously frank admission Ben informed the court: ‘I get up every day and I fight not to lose whatever – to lose my vehicles 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 money woes, with Ben laying bare their monetary problems in court (envisioned in 2021)

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

‘We’re in service together so the problem is that we opened business before Covid and we got the worst intensities 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 an organization financial obligation because of Covid. It’s simply another issue.’

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 at a loss, taking into account future liabilities, in its last accounts for the duration ending on July 31, 2020.

The business’s represent the year ending in July 2021 have still not been filed 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 filing accounts.

A fourth company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other people was likewise included and willingly struck off on the exact same dates.

A 5th business 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 past due, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ first increased to popularity as an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply months before the Covid pandemic (pictured with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has since clarify the money woes some Strictly stars can deal with, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance trip was cancelled in 2020

AJ initially increased to fame as an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had actually formerly wished to start a brand-new era of dance success by leaving the show, the pandemic forced him to cancel his planned dance tour, plunging himself and brother Curtis into financial obligation.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ shed light on the money concerns some Strictly stars can face after leaving the show.

He said: ‘We had a business where we were running our own tour and the tour was cut short. We paid all of our dancers because, personally, I seemed like that was the right 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 tough decision to be made, but that’s what it is when you are running your own business.

‘They absolutely did appreciate it. I perhaps didn’t value the financial obligation that I was left in but, hello, it’s a decision that was made.’

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his buddies think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, nevertheless, he explained that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he makes is no place near that.

The dancer said: ‘I think a lot of people 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 transparency is a positive thing in this day and age, however many people don’t actually desire to speak about their finances.

‘And I think people are fascinated by cash. People like to see numbers and like to see nice things, and a great deal of times you require to live within your own ways.’

After leaving shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a variety of big cash offers and AJ states some individuals have no concept how to handle that kind of sum of cash.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘desire to make a difference’ and have established ‘utilizing our own cash’ a financial investment company called FINT to help to ‘inform’ individuals.

AJ ended up being extremely open about how sometimes the TV bookings and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars need to find out how to ‘adapt’ 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 no place near that

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

‘Myself and Curtis have invested money, from my really first salary on Strictly I have actually constantly had that money invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a task in 6 months time, I do have money there that I can draw on if I it.

‘And at the end of the day, there are always jobs out there. It’s just sometimes having to change what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a bit. Adapting is hard however you do have to adjust often.

‘It’s important that individuals go into these big shows that they’re enjoying however 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, people are dealing with the cost of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no various and is regularly snapped back into the ‘real world’ as he’s observed the remarkable boost in daily products.

He discussed: ‘Each and every single day I’m reminded reality. I pulled up at the fuel pump today and the diesel was 10p more pricey due to decisions that have actually been made much higher up than my paycheck. That’s the real life.

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

‘Even when inflation comes down, it does not imply that it returns to what it was. Life is going to be hard for a great deal of people this year and I do not think it’s going to get any much easier.’

Robin Windsor

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

Despite pulling in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically passed away with just ₤ 879 in his company’s business 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 actually not traded for a long 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 almost ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, however owed financial institutions ₤ 15,000, indicating 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 business and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the company, which was paid back.

The company had actually carried profits from a ‘broad variety of contracts to supply carrying out arts services within the media industry’, documentation said.

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 posted pictures 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 came to an end after the 12th series in 2014.

The dancer was discovered 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 likewise remembered one time he earned ‘silly cash’, informing This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were as soon as 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 two minutes.’

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

He stated: ‘All of an abrupt, I was making money I had only 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 trip and private efficiencies.

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

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin said he became so ‘bitter’ about not being permitted to return that he could not bear to see it, and he entered into a ‘consistent decrease’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was considerably sacked by employers in 2015 following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was when thought about a favourite amongst Strictly fans, however last year he was significantly sacked by bosses following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later confirmed and regretted his actions versus Zara.

Addressing his exit from the program, a ‘ravaged’ Di Prima composed on Instagram: ‘I deeply are sorry for the events that caused my departure from Strictly.

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

‘My intense enthusiasm and decision to win may have affected my training routine.

‘While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s just best for the sake of the show that I step away. I am distressed that I wasn’t permitted to use a quote to the online newspaper article, and I take on board the sensitivity of the circumstance.

‘There’s more to this story that I am not able to talk about at this time, but I am devoted to being strong for my friends and family. I want the Strictly household absolutely nothing but success in the future.’

Following his departure from the program, Graziano tried to cash on his appearances on the program, 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 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 charge for her stint on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For many fans, Oti is considered one of 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 salary before she left the show in 2022, and since her exit has actually amassed a huge fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

Ever since, she has actually looked like 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 signing up with the Strictly lineup, Oti also worked as a professional dancer on Strictly’s German equivalent, Let’s Dance.

Oti is noted as a director of Pure Mabuse Limited, which she established with her spouse Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has listed assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its newest accounts.

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

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in 4 personal companies, which they co-own. consisting of the property company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in properties since last year.

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

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t always been easy, revealing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his cars and truck while trying to start his carrying out profession

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

His firm Supreme Dance stated ₤ 104,993 in its newest 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 sleep in his vehicle while attempting to kickstart his carrying out profession, while managing it with an office task.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he said: ‘If there’s no one there, I’ll sleep in my cars and truck and after that I can pay for two of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I invested loads of time oversleeping my vehicle – essentially living out of my automobile – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People believe we live these simple, showbiz, glamorous lives and it’s not like that.

‘There’s been times where I was simply getting fired from task after job – typical office tasks, simply trying to sustain my dancer profession.

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

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

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his spouse Ola following fit 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 capitalized their joint weight-loss in the last few years, establishing a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe.

The pair offered their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have actually considering that scaled down to a home more ‘suitable’ for their daughter Ella.

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC