How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have actually Ended up In Debt

For viewers tuning into BBC’s megahit Strictly Come Dancing, they would be ideal in assuming that its stars must be making a significant fortune.

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

However, while it has been assumed that Strictly professionals need to earn a quite penny, and years of success, through their time on the show, for a lot of it’s an entirely different story.

Pros who have bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor in the last few years have shared their battles with piling debts and cash issues, with some even facing the possibility 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 revealed it was the serious financial problems they had actually just recently experienced are believed to have lagged 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 debt – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial troubles are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (visualized on the program in 2013)

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

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

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

Giving proof throughout the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, confessed he had made a mess of the handling of their cars and truck insurance plan and informed how he was ‘fighting to conserve his relationship and home’.

A good friend of the couple told the Mail he said: ‘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 selected to go forward as different individuals.

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

The couple were left with crippling financial obligations after they tilled every cent they had into a yoga studio which plunged into crisis throughout the Covid pandemic.

In a tortuously frank admission Ben informed the court: ‘I get up every day and I fight not to lose everything – to lose my automobiles 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 money problems, with Ben laying bare their monetary woes in court (envisioned in 2021)

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

‘We’re in service together so the problem is that we opened the company 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 have actually got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have got an organization debt due to the fact that of Covid. It’s simply another issue.’

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

Records also reveal that a food services company called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent 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 still not been filed and are now almost 29 months overdue.

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

A fifth company called Yoga Wellbeing which is 100 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 first increased to popularity as a contestant 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 since clarify the cash concerns some Strictly stars can deal with, and shared that he was plunged into debt when his dance trip was cancelled in 2020

AJ first rose to fame as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic.

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

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

He stated: ‘We had a business where we were running our own trip and the trip was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers since, personally, I seemed like that was the right thing to do. We ended 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 tough decision to be made, but that’s what it is when you are running your own company.

‘They certainly did value it. I possibly didn’t value the debt that I was left in but, hello, it’s a decision that was made.’

AJ stated it is hard when a lot 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 believe a lot of people 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 limited company, that’s not even close.

‘I believe transparency is a positive thing in this day and age, however the majority of people don’t actually wish to discuss their financial resources.

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

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a number of big cash deals and AJ states some people have no idea how to manage that kind of sum of cash.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘want to make a difference’ and have actually set up ‘utilizing our own cash’ a financial investment company called FINT to assist to ‘inform’ people.

AJ ended up being very open about how sometimes the TV bookings and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars have to learn how to ‘adapt’ their profession.

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his buddies think 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 truly tough I believe in our market, the show business and a great deal of other markets 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 do not have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have actually invested cash, from my very first salary on Strictly I have actually always had that money invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work in six months time, I do have money there that I can make use of if I need it.

‘And at the end of the day, there are always tasks out there. It’s just often needing to change what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a little bit. Adapting is hard but you do have to adjust often.

‘It is essential that people enter into these big programs that they’re delighting in however 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, individuals are facing the cost of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no different and is frequently snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s observed the remarkable boost in daily items.

He described: ‘Every single day I’m brought back to reality. I pulled up at the fuel pump today and the diesel was 10p more pricey due to decisions that have been made much greater up than my income. That’s the real life.

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

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

Robin Windsor

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

Despite pulling in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically died with simply ₤ 879 in his business’s business 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 company 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 company Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed practically ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, but owed financial institutions ₤ 15,000, suggesting 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 repaid.

The business had actually transported incomes from a ‘wide range of contracts to offer carrying out arts services within the media industry’, paperwork said.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had actually been dealing with a Fred Olsen Cruise – alongside fellow Strictly expert Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and posted pictures of himself when the boat docked in South Africa.

Robin previously 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 found dead in a London hotel in February, and in the wake of his passing it was exposed his firm had not traded for some time (visualized on the program in 2013)

He also remembered one time he made ‘ridiculous money’, telling This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were as soon as 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 financial life was 2010, ‘my first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He stated: ‘All of a sudden, I was generating income I had only dreamt about. I most likely made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not simply 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, everyone desires a little slice of you.’

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin stated he became so ‘bitter’ about not being permitted to return that he could not bear to watch it, and he went into a ‘constant decrease’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

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

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

Graziano was when considered a preferred amongst Strictly fans, however in 2015 he was significantly sacked by employers following claims of gross misconduct towards his former superstar partner Zara McDermott.

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

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

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

‘My intense passion and decision to win might have affected my training routine.

‘While appreciating the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s only best for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t enabled 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 wish the Strictly family absolutely nothing however success in the future.’

Following his departure from the program, Graziano attempted to cash on his appearances 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 among 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 looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and likewise made a reported ₤ 200,000 cost for her stint on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For numerous fans, Oti is thought about one of 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 wage before she left the show in 2022, and considering that her exit has actually accumulated 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 best Dancer, contributing to a rumoured fortune of more than ₤ 1.4 million.

Before joining the Strictly lineup, Oti also worked as a professional 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 partner Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has actually listed possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its most current accounts.

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

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

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

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champ in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the show in 2020, has actually cashed in with a string of phase roles

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t always been easy, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his automobile while trying to kickstart his performing profession

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

His company Supreme Dance stated ₤ 104,993 in its latest possessions with ₤ 42,234 remaining after costs.

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t always been easy, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his cars and truck while trying to kickstart his carrying out profession, while handling it with a workplace task.

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

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

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

‘I was basically looking in my wallet going, I’ve just been fired from another job. I’ve got 4 lessons tomorrow; I already can’t pay 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 have to give you the cash on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually capitalized their joint weight reduction recently, setting up a physical fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his wife Ola following fit two 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 cashed in on their joint weight reduction recently, establishing a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe.

The pair sold their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have considering that scaled down 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 recently had ₤ 774,023 in possessions and ₤ 465,002 after bills.

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC