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

For audiences 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 determined hours of training, or being an on-screen component for weeks on end, the program’s professional dancers have actually assisted make the series a captivating watch throughout the fall months.

However, while it has been presumed that Strictly professionals should earn a quite penny, and years of success, through their time on the show, 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 battles with stacking debts and cash woes, with some even dealing with the possibility of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the most recent stars to be struck by the notorious ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the serious financial difficulties they had just recently experienced are thought to have actually been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ incomes to reveal the truth about how for many, the cash stops as soon as the ballroom lights go dark …

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly’s popular dancers have actually ended up in financial obligation – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial difficulties are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (pictured 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, in 2015, the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being struck by money troubles, with Ben laying bare their monetary concerns in court.

The extent of the couple’s battles were laid bare in uncommon scenarios – during a court appearance 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 bungled the handling of their cars and truck insurance plan and told how he was ‘fighting to conserve his and home’.

A good friend of the couple informed the Mail he stated: ‘The past 6 months have been hell for them and it has actually torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their family, they have actually chosen to move forward as different 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 looks like there’s no going back.’

The couple were entrusted crippling debts after they ploughed every cent 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 battle 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 could lose their home after being struck by cash issues, with Ben laying bare their financial issues in court (envisioned in 2021)

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

‘We’re in organization together so the issue is that we opened the service before Covid and we got the worst seriousness of it and in all honestly this is just another issue for me to deal with.

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

Records likewise reveal that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 percent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was effectively ₤ 6,633 in the red, considering 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 actually still not been submitted and are now almost 29 months overdue.

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 submitting accounts.

A fourth business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other individuals was also incorporated and willingly struck off on the same dates.

A 5th business 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 almost 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ initially increased to fame as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply months before the Covid pandemic (visualized with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has given that shed light on the money problems 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 show simply months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had previously wished to start a new age of dance success by leaving the show, the pandemic forced him to cancel his organized dance tour, plunging himself and brother Curtis into debt.

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

He stated: ‘We had a company where we were running our own trip and the trip was cut short. We paid all of our dancers since, personally, I seemed like that was the right thing to do. We wound up with a VAT 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 hard decision to be made, however that’s what it is when you are running your own company.

‘They absolutely did appreciate it. I maybe didn’t appreciate the debt that I was left in but, hi, it’s a choice that was made.’

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his buddies believe he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, however, he described that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he makes is nowhere near that.

The dancer said: ‘I think 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 limited business, that’s not even close.

‘I think openness is a positive thing in this day and age, but the majority of people do not truly wish to discuss their finances.

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

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a number of big money offers and AJ states some people have no concept how to manage that type of amount of money.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘want to make a difference’ and have established ‘utilizing our own money’ a financial investment business called FINT to help to ‘inform’ individuals.

AJ became very open about how sometimes the TV bookings and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars need to find out how to ‘adjust’ their profession.

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his buddies 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 really hard I believe in our industry, the show business and a great deal of other industries today due to the fact that a lot of individuals are being laid off. It does play on your psychological health if you do not have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have actually invested cash, from my extremely first wage on Strictly I have actually 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 often having to change what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a bit. Adapting is tough but you do need to adapt often.

‘It’s crucial that people go into these huge programs that they’re enjoying but they have an occupation 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 different and is frequently snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s noticed the remarkable increase in daily items.

He discussed: ‘Every single day I’m brought back to reality. I pulled up at the gas pump today and the diesel was 10p more costly 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 crazy. I think individuals forget, the cost of living and inflation’s increased.

‘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 do not think it’s going to get any simpler.’

Robin Windsor

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

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

The dancer was discovered dead in a London hotel in February in 2015, and in the wake of his passing it was exposed his firm had not traded for a long 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 submitted accounts, however owed creditors ₤ 15,000, meaning 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 company and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the company, which was repaid.

The company had actually transported incomes from a ‘wide variety of contracts to supply performing arts services within the media market’, documentation said.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been working on a Fred Olsen Cruise – alongside 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 ‘ridiculous money’, informing 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 monetary life was 2010, ‘my first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He stated: ‘All of an unexpected, I was earning money I had actually only dreamt about. I most likely made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not just from Strictly but from work off the back of the program such as the trip and private efficiencies.

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

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin stated he became so ‘bitter’ about not being allowed to return that he could not bear to view it, and he went into a ‘constant decline’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was significantly sacked by employers last year following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was as soon as considered a favourite amongst Strictly fans, but last year he was drastically sacked by bosses following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later verified and regretted his actions versus Zara.

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

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

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

‘While appreciating the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s only ideal for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t allowed to use a quote to the online newspaper article, and I take on board the sensitivity of the scenario.

‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to talk about at this time, but I am committed 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 appearances 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 actually capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For many 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

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 Star Get Me Out Of Here! last year

For numerous 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.

The dancer was reported to be on a ₤ 410,000 salary before she left the show in 2022, and given that her exit has actually generated a huge fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

Since then, she has appeared as 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 set up with her husband Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has actually noted assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its newest accounts.

In 2022, Oti also signed a big-money offer to work together with Bravissimo on a ‘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 properties in 4 personal companies, which they co-own. consisting of the property firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in possessions as of in 2015.

And Oti has only included to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! where she was apparently 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 actually previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, revealing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his automobile while attempting to kickstart his performing profession

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

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

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t always been easy, revealing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his automobile while attempting to start his performing career, while managing it with a workplace job.

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

‘I invested loads of time sleeping in my automobile – generally living out of my automobile – 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 just getting fired from job after job – typical office tasks, simply trying to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was generally looking in my wallet going, I’ve simply been fired from another task. I’ve got 4 lessons tomorrow; I currently can’t spend for 2 of them.

‘I’m going to have to blag it with the instructor and say,” Oh, there’s been an issue at the bank. I’m going to need 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 recently, setting up a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his spouse Ola following fit 2 years lateer.

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

The couple have actually capitalized their joint weight-loss in the last few years, establishing a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe.

The set offered their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have because scaled down to a home more ‘suitable’ for their child Ella.

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC