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How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Wound Up In Debt

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

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

However, while it has actually been presumed that Strictly specialists must make a pretty penny, and years of success, through their time on the show, for most it’s a completely various story.

Pros who have bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor recently have shared their struggles with stacking financial obligations and cash problems, 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 hit by the notorious ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year love ended in . MailOnline then revealed it was the serious financial troubles they had recently experienced are thought 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 money stops as quickly as the ballroom lights go dark …

Kristina Rihanoff

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

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

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

The level of the couple’s struggles were laid bare in uncommon scenarios – during 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 bungled the handling of their automobile insurance plan and informed how he was ‘battling to save his relationship and home’.

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

‘Those near to them who know them as a couple had 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 debilitating debts 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 combat not to lose whatever – to lose my cars and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared worries that they could lose their home after being struck by cash woes, with Ben laying bare their financial issues in court (imagined in 2021)

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

‘We’re in company together so the issue is that we opened business before Covid and we got the worst intensities of it and in all truthfully this is simply another issue for me to deal with.

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

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

Records likewise expose that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 percent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was efficiently ₤ 6,633 in the red, considering future liabilities, in its last accounts for the period ending on July 31, 2020.

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

Another company called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is likewise 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 also integrated and voluntarily struck off on the same dates.

A fifth 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 also nearly 29 months past due, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ initially increased to popularity as a participant 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 given that clarify the cash issues 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 participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had actually formerly intended to kickstart a new age of dance success by leaving the show, the pandemic required him to cancel his organized dance tour, plunging himself and bro Curtis into debt.

Speaking to MailOnline, AJ clarified the money woes 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 because, personally, I felt like that was the right thing to do. We ended up with a VAT bill which came out of our own pocket.

‘We didn’t earn money, myself or Curtis, but we paid all of our dancers. It’s a difficult choice to be made, but that’s what it is when you are running your own business.

‘They definitely did value it. I possibly didn’t value the financial obligation that I was left in however, hello, it’s a choice that was made.’

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his pals 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 no place near that.

The dancer said: ‘I believe a great deal of people expect you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and immediately be a millionaire. Once you have actually paid your tax and your VAT, and if you’re a restricted company, that’s not even close.

‘I believe transparency is a favorable thing in this day and age, however the majority of people do not truly wish to talk about their financial resources.

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

After leaving shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a variety of huge money offers and AJ says some people have no concept how to deal with that type of sum of cash.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a distinction’ and have actually established ‘utilizing our own cash’ a monetary investment business called FINT to assist to ‘inform’ people.

AJ became extremely open about how often the TV reservations and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars have to find out how to ‘adjust’ their profession.

AJ said it is hard when a great deal 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 no place near that

He continued: ‘It’s actually hard I think in our market, the show business and a lot of other industries today because a great deal of people are being laid off. It does use your psychological health if you don’t have that next task.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested money, from my very first pay check on Strictly I have actually always had that money 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 need it.

‘And at the end of the day, there are constantly tasks out there. It’s simply in some cases needing to change what it is you think you are going to do and adjust a little bit. Adapting is difficult however you do need to adapt often.

‘It’s crucial that people enter into these huge programs 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, individuals are dealing with the cost of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no various and is regularly snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s observed the remarkable boost in everyday products.

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

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

‘Even when inflation comes down, it does not indicate that it goes back to what it was. Life is going to be difficult for a great deal of individuals this year and I don’t believe it’s going to get any easier.’

Robin Windsor

Despite pulling in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately died with just ₤ 879 in his company’s company account

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

The dancer was found dead in a London hotel in February last year, and in the wake of his passing it was exposed his company had actually not traded for some time and according to Companies House Records was facing an ‘active proposition’ to be struck off.

The company Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed practically ₤ 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 company and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the business, which was paid back.

The business had actually directed revenues from a ‘variety of agreements to provide performing arts services within the media industry’, documents said.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had actually been dealing with a Fred Olsen Cruise – together 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 during his time on Strictly which concerned 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 not traded for some time (visualized on the program in 2013)

He also recalled one time he earned ‘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 ‘best’ year of his monetary 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 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, everybody desires a little slice of you.’

Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin stated he ended up being so ‘bitter’ about not being allowed to return that he couldn’t bear to see it, and he went into a ‘constant decline’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

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

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

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

The dancer later verified and regretted his actions versus Zara.

Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘ravaged’ Di Prima wrote on Instagram: ‘I deeply regret the occasions that resulted in my departure from Strictly.

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

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

‘While appreciating the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s just right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am distressed that I wasn’t permitted to provide a quote to the online newspaper article, and I take on board the level of 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 wish 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 personalised 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 cashed in on their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For lots of fans, Oti is thought about among 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 appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and likewise made a reported ₤ 200,000 fee 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 successful 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 income before she left the show in 2022, and since her exit has collected a substantial fortune with a string of successful 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 joining the Strictly lineup, Oti likewise worked as an expert dancer on Strictly’s German equivalent, Let’s Dance.

Oti is listed as a director of Pure Mabuse Limited, which she established with her husband Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has listed possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money deal to collaborate with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence increasing’ underclothing range, and she and hubby Marius likewise share a ₤ 590,000 London mansion.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in four personal business, which they co-own. including the home firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in assets since last year.

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

Kevin Clifton

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

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, exposing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his automobile while attempting to start his performing profession

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

His firm Supreme Dance stated ₤ 104,993 in its most current assets with ₤ 42,234 staying after costs.

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t always been simple, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his vehicle while attempting to start his carrying out career, while managing it with a workplace job.

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

‘I invested loads of time oversleeping my vehicle – basically living out of my cars and truck – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People believe we live these easy, showbiz, attractive lives and it’s not like that.

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

‘I was generally 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 spend for 2 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 need to give you the money on my next lesson. » James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually capitalized their joint weight reduction in 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 partner Ola following fit 2 years lateer.

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

The couple have actually cashed in on their joint weight loss in recent years, setting up a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe.

The pair sold their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have actually given that downsized to a home more ‘suitable’ for their child Ella.

Much of their income 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 additional cash by offering signed pictures for ₤ 9.50 while Ola offers dance lessons to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC