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

For viewers tuning into BBC’s megahit Strictly Come Dancing, they would be ideal in presuming that its stars should be making a substantial 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 captivating watch throughout the autumn months.

However, while it has been assumed that Strictly professionals should earn a quite penny, and years of success, through their time on the show, for the majority of it’s a wholly different story.

Pros who have actually bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor in the last few years have actually shared their battles with stacking financial obligations and money woes, with some even dealing with the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the newest stars to be struck by the infamous ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the serious monetary difficulties they had recently experienced are believed to have lagged their split.

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

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly’s popular dancers have actually ended up in financial obligation – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial difficulties are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (pictured on the program in 2013)

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

However, in 2015, the couple shared worries that they could lose their home after being struck by cash problems, with Ben laying bare their financial concerns in court.

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

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

A friend of the couple informed the Mail he stated: ‘The previous 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 know them as a couple had hoped they would be able to work things out but for now it’s over and it appears like there’s no going back.’

The couple were left with debilitating debts after they tilled 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 battle not to lose everything – to lose my vehicles and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being hit by money issues, with Ben laying bare their monetary problems in court (envisioned in 2021)

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

‘We stay in business together so the problem is that we opened the business before Covid and we got the worst seriousness of it and in all honestly this is just another problem for me to handle.

‘I have actually 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 simply 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 stopped on April 28, 2023.

Records also reveal that a food services company called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was successfully ₤ 6,633 at a loss, taking into consideration future liabilities, in its last accounts for the duration ending on July 31, 2020.

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

Another company called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is also 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 business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other individuals was also incorporated and willingly struck off on the exact same dates.

A 5th company 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 likewise nearly 29 months past due, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

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

But AJ has since 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 an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show just months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had previously wanted to start a new age of dance success by departing the program, the pandemic forced him to cancel his planned dance trip, plunging himself and bro Curtis into financial obligation.

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

He stated: ‘We had a business where we were running our own trip and the trip was cut short. We paid all of our dancers due to the fact that, personally, I seemed like that was the right thing to do. We wound up with a VAT expense 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 certainly did appreciate it. I maybe didn’t value the debt that I was left in but, hello, it’s a decision that was made.’

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

The dancer stated: ‘I believe a lot of people anticipate 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 believe openness is a positive thing in this day and age, however many people do not truly desire to speak about their finances.

‘And I think people are fascinated by money. People love to see numbers and enjoy to see good things, and a great deal of times you need to live within your own ways.’

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a number of huge cash offers and AJ states some people have no idea how to manage that sort of amount of money.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘want to make a difference’ and have set up ‘using our own cash’ a financial investment company called FINT to help to ‘educate’ people.

AJ became very open about how sometimes the TV bookings and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars have to learn how to ‘adapt’ their career.

AJ said 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 nowhere near that

He continued: ‘It’s actually tough I believe in our industry, the home entertainment industry and a lot of other markets today because a lot of individuals are being laid off. It does play on your psychological health if you do not have that next task.

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

‘And at the end of the day, there are constantly tasks out there. It’s just in some cases having to alter what it is you believe you are going to do and adjust a bit. Adapting is difficult however you do need to adjust in some cases.

‘It is very important that people enter into these big programs that they’re delighting in however 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, individuals are facing the cost of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no various and is frequently snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s observed the remarkable boost in everyday items.

He discussed: ‘Each and every single day I’m brought back to truth. I pulled up at the gas pump today and the diesel was 10p more expensive due to decisions that have actually been made much greater up than my paycheck. That’s the real life.

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

‘Even when inflation boils down, it doesn’t imply that it goes back to what it was. Life is going to be hard for a lot of people this year and I do not think it’s going to get any easier.’

Robin Windsor

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

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

The dancer was discovered dead in a London hotel in February in 2015, and in the wake of his passing it was exposed his firm had actually not traded for some 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, but owed lenders ₤ 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 business and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the company, which was repaid.

The company had actually transported profits from a ‘large range of agreements to offer performing arts services within the media market’, documentation said.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been dealing with a Fred Olsen Cruise – together with fellow Strictly expert 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 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 actually not traded for a long time (imagined on the show in 2013)

He also recalled one time he made ‘silly cash’, telling This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were when paid ₤ 10,000 each to remain 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 monetary life was 2010, ‘my first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He stated: ‘All of an abrupt, I was generating income I had actually only dreamt about. I most likely made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not just from Strictly however from work off the back of the show such as the trip and personal efficiencies.

‘When you’re on prime-time TV, everyone wants 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 enjoy it, and he went into a ‘steady decrease’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was dramatically sacked by employers in 2015 following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former celebrity partner Zara McDermott

Following his departure from the show, Graziano tried 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 drastically sacked by employers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later on validated and regretted his actions against Zara.

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

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

‘My extreme passion and decision to win might have impacted my training routine.

‘While appreciating the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s just right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t permitted to provide 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 talk about at this time, however I am devoted to being strong for my family and buddies. I wish the Strictly household nothing but success in the future.’

Following his departure from the program, Graziano tried to cash on his appearances 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 ‘expert dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For lots of 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 appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and also earned a reported ₤ 200,000 cost for her stint on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For many fans, Oti is considered among Strictly’s most effective 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 salary before she left the show in 2022, and given that her exit has actually collected a huge fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

Ever since, she has looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was also a panellist on The Masked Dancer, and BBC’s The Greatest Dancer, adding 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 noted as a director of Pure Mabuse Limited, which she established with her spouse Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has actually listed possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

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

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in four private companies, which they co-own. including the property company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in properties as of last year.

And Oti has only included to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Celeb 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 program in 2020, has cashed in with a string of phase roles

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his cars and truck while trying to start his carrying out career

Since leaving Strictly in 2020, Kevin Clifton has actually taken 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 assets with ₤ 42,234 remaining after costs.

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t always been easy, exposing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his car while trying to kickstart his carrying out profession, while juggling it with a workplace task.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he said: ‘If there’s no one there, I’ll sleep in my automobile and after that I can afford 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I spent loads of time sleeping in my cars and truck – basically 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 simply getting fired from job after task – regular office jobs, just trying to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was essentially searching in my wallet going, I have actually just been fired from another task. I’ve 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 say,” Oh, there’s been a problem at the bank. I’m going to have to offer you the cash on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have cashed in on their joint weight-loss over 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 other half 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 actually capitalized their joint weight reduction in the last few years, setting up a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe.

The pair offered their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have actually given that downsized 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 assets and ₤ 465,002 after costs.

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC