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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 assuming that its stars must be earning a significant fortune.

Whether it be the steadfast hours of training, or being an on-screen fixture 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 presumed that Strictly specialists must earn a quite penny, and years of success, through their time on the program, for a lot of it’s a completely different story.

Pros who have bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor recently have actually shared their struggles with stacking financial obligations and money woes, with some even dealing with the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the most recent stars to be hit by the infamous ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the serious monetary difficulties they had actually just recently experienced are believed to have been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ incomes to expose the reality about how for lots of, the cash stops as quickly as the ballroom lights go dark …

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly’s popular dancers have wound up in financial obligation – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial troubles are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (envisioned on the show in 2013)

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

However, last year, the couple shared fears that they might lose their home after being struck by money troubles, with Ben laying bare their monetary woes in court.

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

Giving evidence during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, confessed he had mishandled the handling of their car insurance plan and told how he was ‘fighting to conserve his relationship and home’.

A buddy of the couple informed the Mail he stated: ‘The past 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 picked to move forward as separate people.

‘Those near them who understand them as a couple had actually 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 debilitating debts after they ploughed every penny 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 battle not to lose everything – to lose my cars and trucks and my house and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

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

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

‘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 truthfully this is just another issue for me to handle.

‘I’ve got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got a company financial obligation because of Covid. It’s just another problem.’

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

Records likewise 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 accounts for the period 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 set up in December 2021 and dissolved by a voluntary strike off in February this year without ever filing accounts.

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

A 5th business called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 in the red, considering future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are also almost 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ first rose to fame as a candidate 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 since clarify the cash problems some Strictly stars can deal with, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

AJ initially rose 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 formerly wished to start a new age of dance success by leaving the show, the pandemic required him to cancel his organized dance tour, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into debt.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ clarified the cash concerns some Strictly stars can face after leaving the program.

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

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

AJ stated it is hard when a great deal of his good 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 no place near that.

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

‘I believe transparency is a favorable thing in this day and age, however many people do not actually desire to speak about their financial resources.

‘And I think individuals are fascinated by money. People enjoy to see numbers and love to see great 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 tossed into a variety of big cash deals and AJ says some people have no idea how to deal with that sort of amount of money.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a difference’ and have actually set up ‘utilizing our own cash’ a financial investment business called FINT to help to ‘educate’ people.

AJ became very open about how sometimes the TV bookings and photoshoots can suddenly stop and stars need to discover how to ‘adjust’ their career.

AJ said 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 makes is no place near that

He continued: ‘It’s actually difficult I think in our market, the entertainment industry and a great deal of other industries right now due to the fact that a great deal of individuals are being laid off. It does play on your psychological health if you don’t have that next task.

‘Myself and Curtis have actually invested money, from my very first wage on Strictly I have actually always had that money invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work in six 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 often having to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a little bit. Adapting is tough however you do need to adapt sometimes.

‘It is essential 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, people are facing the expense of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no different and is routinely snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s noticed the dramatic boost in everyday items.

He discussed: ‘Every day I’m reminded reality. I pulled up at the gas pump today and the diesel was 10p more expensive due to choices that have actually been made much greater up than my paycheck. That’s the genuine world.

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

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

Robin Windsor

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

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

The dancer was found dead in a London hotel in February last year, and in the wake of his passing it was revealed 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 nearly ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, but owed creditors ₤ 15,000, implying it was ₤ 8,350 in the red.

At the height of his star 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 carried earnings from a ‘broad variety of agreements to supply performing arts services within the media market’, documentation stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been dealing with a Fred Olsen Cruise – along with fellow Strictly expert Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and published 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 discovered 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 (envisioned on the program in 2013)

He also remembered one time he made ‘silly cash’, telling 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 occasion. Our dance lasted 2 minutes.’

He remembered in September 2022 that the ‘finest’ year of his monetary life was 2010, ‘my very first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He stated: ‘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 show such as the trip and private efficiencies.

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

Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin stated he became so ‘bitter’ about not being permitted to return that he could not bear to enjoy it, and he entered into a ‘steady decline’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was considerably sacked by managers last year following claims of gross misconduct towards his former celeb partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was when thought about a favourite amongst Strictly fans, but last year he was dramatically sacked by employers following claims of gross misconduct towards his former superstar partner Zara McDermott.

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

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

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

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

‘While respecting the BBC HR process, 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 scenario.

‘There’s more to this story that I am not able to discuss 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 tried to cash on his looks on the show, with personalised video messages on Cameo.

The dancer charged $100 (₤ 78) for a video message, and continued to describe himself as a ‘expert dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For many 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 appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and also made a reported ₤ 200,000 cost for her stint on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! last year

For many 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 wage before she left the show in 2022, and since her exit has actually amassed a huge fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Ever since, she has appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was likewise 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 likewise 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 hubby Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has listed assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its most current accounts.

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

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in 4 private business, which they co-own. consisting of the residential or commercial property company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in assets as of last year.

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

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, exposing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his vehicle while trying to start his carrying out profession

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 company Supreme Dance stated ₤ 104,993 in its newest assets with ₤ 42,234 remaining after expenses.

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t always been simple, revealing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his cars and truck while trying to start his performing profession, while handling it with a workplace job.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he stated: ‘If there’s no one there, I’ll oversleep my cars and truck and then I can manage 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I spent loads of time sleeping in my vehicle – basically living out of my car – 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 task after task – typical office tasks, just trying to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was essentially searching in my wallet going, I’ve just been fired from another job. I’ve got four lessons tomorrow; I currently 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 provide 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 site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his partner Ola doing the same two years lateer.

James has appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, returned a few 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 recently, establishing a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe.

The pair sold their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million earlier 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 recently had ₤ 774,023 in possessions and ₤ 465,002 after bills.

They earn extra money by selling signed pictures for ₤ 9.50 while Ola offers dance lessons to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC