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 assuming that its stars must be making a hefty fortune.

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

However, while it has actually been presumed that Strictly professionals must make a pretty penny, and years of success, through their time on the program, for a lot of it’s a completely different story.

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

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the current 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 just recently experienced are thought to have actually been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ paychecks 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 ended up in financial obligation – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial troubles are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (imagined on the program in 2013)

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

However, last year, the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being struck by cash problems, with Ben laying bare their financial issues in court.

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

Giving evidence during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, admitted he had actually bungled the handling of their vehicle insurance plan and informed how he was ‘fighting to save his relationship and home’.

A good friend 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 picked to move forward as separate individuals.

‘Those close to 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 entrusted to crippling 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 informed the court: ‘I get up every day and I fight not to lose whatever – to lose my cars and trucks and my house and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being hit by money problems, with Ben laying bare their financial troubles in court (envisioned 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 the business before Covid and we got the worst severities of it and in all truthfully this is just another issue for me to handle.

‘I have actually got credit cards that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got a service debt because of Covid. It’s simply another problem.’

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

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

The company’s accounts for the year ending in July 2021 have actually still not been filed and are now nearly 29 months overdue.

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

A 5th company called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 at a loss, taking into account future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are likewise almost 29 months past due, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

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

But AJ has because clarify the cash concerns some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into debt when his dance trip was cancelled in 2020

AJ first increased to popularity as a candidate on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had previously intended to kickstart a brand-new age of dance success by departing the program, the pandemic required him to cancel his organized dance trip, plunging himself and brother Curtis into debt.

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

He stated: ‘We had a company where we were running our own trip and the trip was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers because, personally, I seemed like that was the ideal thing to do. We ended up with a VAT expense 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 business.

‘They definitely did value it. I maybe didn’t appreciate the financial obligation that I was left in however, hey, it’s a decision that was made.’

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his 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 nowhere near that.

The dancer stated: ‘I believe a great deal of people anticipate you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and immediately 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 transparency is a positive thing in this day and age, but the majority of individuals don’t really want to discuss their financial resources.

‘And I believe people are interested by money. People like to see numbers and like to see good 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 tossed into a number of big cash offers and AJ states some people have no idea how to deal with that sort of sum of money.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘desire to make a difference’ and have established ‘utilizing our own money’ a monetary investment company called FINT to help to ‘educate’ people.

AJ ended up being really open about how in some cases the TV reservations and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars need to discover how to ‘adapt’ their career.

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his pals 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 entertainment market and a great deal of other markets right now due to the fact that a great deal of individuals are being laid off. It does play on your mental health if you do not have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested cash, from my extremely first wage on Strictly I have actually always had actually that cash invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a task 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 constantly jobs out there. It’s simply sometimes needing to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a bit. Adapting is hard however you do have to adapt often.

‘It is very important that people enter into these big programs that they’re delighting in 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, individuals are dealing with the expense of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no different and is routinely snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s discovered the dramatic boost in daily 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 expensive due to choices that have been made much higher up than my paycheck. That’s the real life.

‘I resembled, ‘What 10p more pricey from yesterday to today’, like that’s crazy. I believe individuals 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 great deal of individuals this year and I do not think it’s going to get any easier.’

Robin Windsor

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

The dancer was found 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 facing an ‘active proposition’ to be struck off.

The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed nearly ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, but owed creditors ₤ 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 profits from a ‘wide range of contracts to offer carrying out arts services within the media industry’, documentation said.

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 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 came 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 revealed his company had actually not traded for a long time (envisioned on the show in 2013)

He also remembered one time he made ‘silly money’, telling This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were when 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 financial life was 2010, ‘my very first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He said: ‘Suddenly, I was making money 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 program 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 said he became so ‘bitter’ about not being allowed to return that he could not bear to see it, and he went into a ‘stable decline’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘My intense enthusiasm and determination to win may have affected my training regime.

‘While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s only ideal for the sake of the program that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t allowed to use a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the circumstance.

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

Following his departure from the program, Graziano attempted 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 actually capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

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

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

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

Since then, 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 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 set up with her hubby Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has actually listed properties of ₤ 510,953, according to its most recent accounts.

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

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in 4 personal companies, which they co-own. including the residential or commercial 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 supposedly paid a ₤ 200,000 charge.

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champion in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the show in 2020, has moneyed in with a string of stage roles

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his car while trying to start his carrying out career

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 firm Supreme Dance stated ₤ 104,993 in its latest properties with ₤ 42,234 staying after bills.

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his cars and truck while attempting 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 sleep in my cars and truck and then I can pay for two of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I invested loads of time sleeping in my vehicle – essentially living out of my cars and truck – 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 just getting fired from task after task – regular office jobs, just attempting to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was essentially searching in my wallet going, I have actually simply been fired from another task. I’ve got four lessons tomorrow; I already can’t pay for two of them.

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

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

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his better half Ola doing the same 2 years lateer.

James has appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, returned a few years later for the All Stars variation 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 set offered their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have actually given that downsized to a home more ‘suitable’ for their child Ella.

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC