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How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Ended up In Debt

For viewers tuning into BBC’s megahit Strictly Come Dancing, they would be best in assuming that its stars need to be earning a significant fortune.

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

However, while it has actually been presumed that Strictly specialists need to make a quite cent, and years of success, through their time on the show, for the majority of it’s a completely various story.

Pros who have actually bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor in the last few years have actually shared their struggles with piling financial obligations and cash issues, with some even facing the possibility 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 love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the severe financial difficulties they had recently experienced are believed to have actually lagged their split.

MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly stars’ incomes to reveal 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 actually wound up in debt – as Kristina Rihanoff’s monetary troubles are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (visualized on the show in 2013)

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

However, last year, the couple shared worries that they could lose their home after being hit by money issues, with Ben laying bare their financial troubles in court.

The extent 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 coverage.

Giving evidence throughout 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 coverage policy and informed how he was ‘fighting to save his relationship and home’.

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

‘Those near them who know them as a couple had hoped they would be able to work things out however for now it’s over and it looks like there’s no going back.’

The couple were entrusted 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 told the court: ‘I get up every day and I fight not to lose whatever – to lose my cars and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared fears that they might lose their home after being struck by cash woes, with Ben laying bare their financial woes in court (envisioned in 2021)

When questioned about the stress 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 seriousness of it and in all truthfully this is just another problem for me to deal with.

‘I’ve got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got a service financial obligation because of Covid. It’s simply 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 ceased on April 28, 2023.

Records also expose that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 percent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was efficiently ₤ 6,633 at a loss, considering 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 almost 29 months overdue.

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

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

A fifth company called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 in the red, taking into consideration 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 rose to popularity as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic (visualized with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has because shed light on the cash concerns 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 increased to fame as a contestant 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 start a new age of dance success by leaving the program, the pandemic forced him to cancel his planned dance tour, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into debt.

Speaking to MailOnline, AJ shed light on the cash problems some Strictly stars can face after leaving the show.

He stated: ‘We had a business where we were running our own tour and the tour was interrupted. 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 get paid, myself or Curtis, however we paid all of our dancers. It’s a hard decision to be made, however that’s what it is when you are running your own business.

‘They definitely did value it. I perhaps didn’t value the debt that I was left in however, hey, it’s a decision that was made.’

AJ stated it is hard when a great deal of his good friends believe he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, however, he discussed that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he earns is no place near that.

The dancer stated: ‘I think a great deal of people expect 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, but a lot of people don’t actually desire to talk about their financial resources.

‘And I think people are interested by money. People like to see numbers and like to see great things, and a lot of times you need 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 cash offers and AJ states some people have no idea how to deal with that sort of sum of cash.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘want to make a difference’ and have established ‘using our own cash’ a monetary investment firm called FINT to assist to ‘inform’ individuals.

AJ ended up being extremely open about how often the TV bookings and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars have to find out how to ‘adapt’ their profession.

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

He continued: ‘It’s actually tough I think in our industry, the show business and a lot of other industries today because a lot of people are being laid off. It does play on your psychological health if you don’t have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have actually invested money, from my extremely first pay check on Strictly I’ve constantly had that cash invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a job in six 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 always jobs out there. It’s simply sometimes having to alter what it is you believe you are going to do and adapt a little bit. Adapting is tough however you do need to adjust sometimes.

‘It is necessary that individuals enter into these huge shows that they’re delighting in but 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 expense of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no various and is regularly snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s seen the dramatic boost in everyday products.

He explained: ‘Every day I’m reminded reality. I brought up at the petrol pump today and the diesel was 10p more pricey due to choices that have been made much greater up than my paycheck. That’s the real world.

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

‘Even when inflation comes down, it doesn’t imply that it goes back to what it was. Life is going to be tough for a great deal of individuals this year and I don’t think it’s going to get any simpler.’

Robin Windsor

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

Despite drawing in an excellent ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically died with just ₤ 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 exposed his firm had actually not traded for a long time and according to Companies House Records was dealing with an ‘active proposition’ to be struck off.

The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed almost ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, but owed creditors ₤ 15,000, indicating 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 company and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the business, which was paid back.

The business had actually funnelled incomes from a ‘large range of contracts to provide performing arts services within the media industry’, documents said.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been dealing with a Fred Olsen Cruise – alongside fellow Strictly professional Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and published images 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 revealed his company had not traded for some time (imagined on the show in 2013)

He likewise remembered one time he made ‘ridiculous cash’, informing 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 occasion. Our dance lasted two minutes.’

He kept in mind in September 2022 that the ‘best’ year of his financial life was 2010, ‘my first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He said: ‘Suddenly, I was making money I had actually only dreamt about. I probably made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not simply from Strictly but from work off the back of the program such as the tour and personal efficiencies.

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

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin stated he ended up being so ‘bitter’ about not being enabled to return that he couldn’t bear to see it, and he went into a ‘steady decrease’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was dramatically sacked by managers in 2015 following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous celebrity 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 when considered a favourite among Strictly fans, but in 2015 he was dramatically sacked by bosses following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former superstar partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later confirmed and regretted his actions versus Zara.

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

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

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

‘While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s only best for the sake of the show that I step away. I am distressed that I wasn’t allowed to provide a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation.

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

Following his departure from the show, Graziano tried to cash on his looks on the show, with customised 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 actually cashed in on their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

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

Ever since, she has actually appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and likewise earned a reported ₤ 200,000 fee for her stint on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For numerous fans, Oti is considered among Strictly’s most effective exports, with the dancer crowned series champion 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 because her exit has actually accumulated a big 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 Greatest Dancer, adding 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 assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its most current accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money offer to work together with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence boosting’ underwear range, and she and other half Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of properties in 4 private companies, which they co-own. including the home firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in possessions as of last year.

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

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 roles

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his automobile while trying to kickstart his performing career

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

His company Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its latest properties with ₤ 42,234 staying after bills.

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his vehicle while attempting to start his performing career, while juggling it with an office task.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he said: ‘If there’s nobody there, I’ll oversleep my vehicle and then I can pay for 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I spent loads of time sleeping in my automobile – basically living out of my cars and truck – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People think we live these easy, showbiz, glamorous lives and it’s not like that.

‘There’s been times where I was simply getting fired from job after job – regular workplace jobs, simply trying to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was basically searching in my wallet going, I’ve simply been fired from another job. I have actually got four lessons tomorrow; I currently can’t pay for 2 of them.

‘I’m going to need to blag it with the instructor and say, » Oh, there’s been a problem at the bank. I’m going to have to give 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 physical fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his spouse 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 capitalized their joint weight loss in the last few years, establishing a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe.

The pair offered their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have actually because scaled down to a home more ‘appropriate’ for their daughter Ella.

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

They earn additional cash by selling signed images for ₤ 9.50 while Ola provides to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC