How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Ended up In Debt

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

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

However, while it has been presumed that Strictly specialists need to earn a pretty penny, and years of success, through their time on the show, for the majority of it’s a completely different 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 money troubles, with some even facing the possibility of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being 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 monetary troubles they had just recently experienced are thought to have been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ paychecks to reveal 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 ended up in debt – as Kristina Rihanoff’s monetary difficulties 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 headlines when she started a love with her star partner Ben Cohen.

However, in 2015, the couple shared worries that they could lose their home after being hit by cash issues, with Ben laying bare their financial issues in court.

The extent of the couple’s struggles were laid bare in unusual circumstances – during a court look last September when Kristina, 47, was caught driving without insurance coverage.

Giving proof throughout the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, admitted he had actually mishandled the handling of their vehicle insurance plan and told how he was ‘combating to conserve his relationship and home’.

A good friend of the couple told the Mail he stated: ‘The past 6 months have actually been hell for them and it has torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their family, they have selected to go forward as separate people.

‘Those close to them who know 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 crippling financial obligations after they tilled 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 combat not to lose whatever – 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 hit by money issues, with Ben laying bare their monetary problems in court (visualized in 2021)

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

‘We’re in business together so the issue is that we opened the company before Covid and we got the worst intensities 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, but the action was suspended 9 days later and ceased on April 28, 2023.

Records also reveal that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 percent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was effectively ₤ 6,633 at a loss, taking into consideration future liabilities, in its last represent the period ending on July 31, 2020.

The company’s accounts for the year ending in July 2021 have actually still not been submitted and are now almost 29 months past due.

Another company called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is likewise 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 filing accounts.

A fourth business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other individuals was likewise incorporated and voluntarily struck off on the very 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 likewise nearly 29 months past due, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ first rose to popularity as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show simply months before the Covid pandemic (envisioned with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has since shed light on the cash concerns some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

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

While the star had previously hoped to kickstart a brand-new era of dance success by departing the program, the pandemic forced him to cancel his scheduled dance tour, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into financial obligation.

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

He stated: ‘We had a company where we were running our own trip and the trip was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers due to the fact that, personally, I seemed like that was the ideal thing to do. We wound up with a VAT costs which came out of our own pocket.

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

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

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

The dancer said: ‘I think a lot of individuals anticipate 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 favorable thing in this day and age, however many people don’t really desire to speak about their financial resources.

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

After such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a number of huge cash offers and AJ states some people have no idea how to manage that type of sum of cash.

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

AJ became extremely open about how often the TV bookings and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars need to learn how to ‘adapt’ their profession.

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his good friends believe 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 really hard I believe in our industry, the entertainment market and a lot of other markets right now since a great deal of individuals are being laid off. It does use your mental health if you do not have that next task.

‘Myself and Curtis have actually invested money, from my very first wage on Strictly I’ve constantly had actually that cash invested into different 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 require it.

‘And at the end of the day, there are always jobs out there. It’s just sometimes having to change what it is you think you are going to do and adjust a bit. Adapting is tough but you do have to adjust sometimes.

‘It is necessary that people enter into these huge shows 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 expense of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no different and is routinely snapped back into the ‘real world’ as he’s seen the dramatic increase in everyday 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 expensive due to choices that have been made much higher 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 insane. I believe individuals forget, the expense of living and inflation’s gone up.

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

Robin Windsor

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

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

The dancer was discovered dead in a London hotel in February last year, and in the wake of his passing it was revealed his company had not traded for a long time and according to Companies House Records was facing an ‘active proposal’ 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, 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 company, which was repaid.

The company had transported profits from a ‘wide range of agreements to supply performing arts services within the media market’, documentation stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had actually been working on a Fred Olsen Cruise – together with fellow Strictly expert 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 firm had actually not traded for a long time (pictured on the program in 2013)

He also remembered one time he made ‘silly 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 2 minutes.’

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

He stated: ‘All of an unexpected, I was generating income I had just 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 private efficiencies.

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

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin said he became so ‘bitter’ about not being allowed to return that he could not bear to see it, and he went into a ‘steady decrease’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

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

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

Graziano was as soon as considered a preferred among Strictly fans, but last year he was considerably sacked by managers following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

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

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

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

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

‘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 allowed to offer a quote to the online newspaper article, and I take on board the level of sensitivity of the scenario.

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

Following his departure from the show, Graziano tried 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 describe himself as a ‘professional dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have capitalized 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

Since then, she has actually appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and also earned a reported ₤ 200,000 cost for her stint on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For many 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.

The dancer was reported to be on a ₤ 410,000 wage before she left the program in 2022, and because her exit has actually collected a big fortune with a string of effective 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 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 spouse Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has noted possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its newest accounts.

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

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

And Oti has just contributed to her fortune in current months by appearing on I’m A Star 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 moneyed in with a string of phase roles

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his cars and truck while trying to start his performing career

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

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t always been easy, revealing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his automobile while attempting to start his carrying out career, while managing it with an office job.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he stated: ‘If there’s nobody there, I’ll oversleep my car and after that I can afford two of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I invested loads of time sleeping in my automobile – basically living out of my car – 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 just getting fired from job after task – regular workplace jobs, simply trying to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was generally looking in my wallet going, I’ve just been fired from another job. I’ve got four lessons tomorrow; I already can’t spend for two of them.

‘I’m going to have to blag it with the instructor and state,” 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 actually capitalized their joint weight-loss recently, establishing a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe

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

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

The couple have capitalized their joint weight-loss in recent years, establishing a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe.

The set offered their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have since downsized to a home more ‘appropriate’ for their child Ella.

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC