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

For viewers tuning into BBC’s megahit Strictly Come Dancing, they would be right in presuming that its stars should be making a substantial fortune.

Whether it be the vigorous hours of training, or being an on-screen fixture 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 been assumed that Strictly experts should make a pretty cent, and years of success, through their time on the show, for many it’s a wholly different story.

Pros who have actually bid farewell to the Strictly in the last few years have actually shared their struggles with stacking debts and cash problems, with some even dealing with the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the latest stars to be struck by the notorious ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the severe monetary difficulties they had actually just recently experienced are thought to have lagged their split.

MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly stars’ paychecks to reveal the fact 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 monetary problems are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (pictured on the program in 2013)

Kristina previously appeared on Strictly as a professional 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 hit by money concerns, with Ben laying bare their monetary woes in court.

The level of the couple’s battles were laid bare in unusual scenarios – during a court look last September when Kristina, 47, was captured driving without insurance coverage.

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

A good friend of the couple informed the Mail he said: ‘The previous 6 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 picked to move forward as different individuals.

‘Those near to them who understand them as a couple had actually hoped they would have the ability to work things out but for now it’s over and it appears like there’s no going back.’

The couple were entrusted to debilitating 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.’

In 2015 the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being hit by cash problems, with Ben laying bare their financial troubles in court (visualized in 2021)

When questioned about the strains on his and Kristina’s relationship, he said: ‘We’re still cohabiting. We remain in it financially.

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

‘I’ve got credit cards that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have got an organization debt since of Covid. It’s just another problem.’

The company was listed to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, but the action was suspended 9 days later on and ceased on April 28, 2023.

Records also expose that a food services company called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was effectively ₤ 6,633 at a loss, taking into consideration future liabilities, in its last represent the period 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 past due.

Another business called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is also owned by the Soo Yoga Group, was set up in December 2021 and dissolved by a voluntary strike off in February this year without ever filing accounts.

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

A fifth company called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred 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 almost 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 just months before the Covid pandemic (pictured with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has since shed light on the cash troubles some Strictly stars can deal with, 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 hoped to start a brand-new age of dance success by departing the show, the pandemic forced him to cancel his scheduled dance tour, plunging himself and bro Curtis into financial obligation.

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

He said: ‘We had a company where we were running our own tour and the trip was cut short. 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 get paid, myself or Curtis, but 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 company.

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

AJ stated it is hard when a great deal of his buddies think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, nevertheless, he described that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he earns is nowhere near that.

The dancer stated: ‘I think a great deal 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 minimal company, that’s not even close.

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

‘And I think individuals are captivated by cash. People like to see numbers and enjoy to see good things, and a great deal of times you require to live within your own methods.’

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a number of huge money deals and AJ states some people have no idea how to deal with that kind of amount of cash.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘desire to make a distinction’ and have actually set up ‘using our own money’ a monetary investment firm called FINT to help to ‘educate’ people.

AJ became extremely open about how in some cases the TV bookings and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars need to learn how to ‘adapt’ their career.

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his buddies believe 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 difficult I believe in our market, the show business and a lot of other markets today because a lot of people are being laid off. It does play on your mental health if you do not have that next task.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested cash, from my very first pay check on Strictly I have actually constantly had actually that cash invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a task in 6 months time, I do have money 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 in some cases needing to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adjust a bit. Adapting is hard however you do need to adjust sometimes.

‘It is essential that individuals enter into these big programs 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, people are facing the expense of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no various and is frequently snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s seen the significant boost in everyday items.

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

‘I resembled, ‘What 10p more expensive from yesterday to today’, like that’s crazy. I believe people forget, the cost of living and inflation’s increased.

‘Even when inflation boils down, it doesn’t indicate that it returns to what it was. Life is going to be difficult for a lot of people this year and I do not believe 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 organization account

Despite pulling in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately passed away with just ₤ 879 in his company’s company 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 almost ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, however owed financial institutions ₤ 15,000, suggesting 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 business, which was paid back.

The business had funnelled revenues from a ‘wide range of agreements to supply carrying out arts services within the media industry’, documentation stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been working on a Fred Olsen Cruise – along with fellow Strictly professional Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and published photos of himself when the boat docked in South Africa.

Robin formerly informed 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 firm had actually not traded for a long time (imagined on the program in 2013)

He also recalled one time he earned ‘silly cash’, informing This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were as soon as 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 ‘best’ year of his financial life was 2010, ‘my first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He said: ‘All of an abrupt, I was making cash I had actually just dreamt about. I most likely made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not simply from Strictly however from work off the back of the program such as the trip and private efficiencies.

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

Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin stated he became so ‘bitter’ about not being enabled to return that he could not bear to enjoy it, and he entered into a ‘constant decrease’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was dramatically sacked by managers in 2015 following claims of gross misconduct towards his former celeb partner Zara McDermott

Following his departure from the program, Graziano attempted to cash on his appearances on the program, with personalised video messages on Cameo

Graziano was when thought about a preferred amongst Strictly fans, however last year he was considerably sacked by managers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later confirmed and regretted his actions versus Zara.

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

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

‘My extreme passion and decision to win may have affected my training regime.

‘While appreciating the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s just ideal for the sake of the program that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t allowed to offer 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 not able to discuss at this time, however I am dedicated to being strong for my friends and family. I want the Strictly household nothing however 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 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 lots of 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 actually looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and also made a reported ₤ 200,000 charge for her stint on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! last year

For numerous fans, Oti is thought about one of 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 income before she left the show in 2022, and considering that her exit has generated a substantial fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Ever since, she has actually appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was also 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 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 set up in February 2017, and has noted assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its newest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money deal to work together with Bravissimo on a ‘self-confidence enhancing’ underwear variety, and she and spouse Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

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

And Oti has just contributed to her fortune in current months by appearing on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! where she was supposedly paid a ₤ 200,000 fee.

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champ in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the program in 2020, has actually moneyed in with a string of phase functions

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he used to sleep in 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 firm Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its most current possessions with ₤ 42,234 staying after bills.

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his vehicle while attempting to start his performing profession, while managing it with an office task.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he said: ‘If there’s nobody there, I’ll oversleep my automobile and after that I can manage 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 think 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 – typical workplace tasks, just trying to sustain my dancer profession.

‘I was basically looking in my wallet going, I have actually simply 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 need to blag it with the teacher and state,” Oh, there’s been a problem at the bank. I’m going to need 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, establishing a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe

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

James has actually appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, returned a few years later on for the All Stars version and won Dancing On Ice in 2019.

The couple have actually cashed in on their joint weight reduction recently, setting up a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe.

The pair sold their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have because downsized to a home more ‘suitable’ for their child 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 make money by offering signed pictures for ₤ 9.50 while Ola offers dance lessons to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC