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

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

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

However, while it has been presumed that Strictly specialists should make a quite penny, and years of success, through their time on the program, for a lot of it’s a wholly different story.

Pros who have actually bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor in recent years have shared their battles with stacking financial obligations and cash woes, with some even dealing with the possibility of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the current stars to be struck by the infamous ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the extreme monetary problems they had actually just recently experienced are believed to have been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly stars’ paychecks to reveal the fact about how for numerous, the money stops as quickly as the ballroom lights go dark …

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly’s popular dancers have actually ended up in financial obligation – as Kristina Rihanoff’s monetary difficulties are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (visualized on the program in 2013)

Kristina formerly appeared on Strictly as a professional from 2008 to 2015, making headings when she began a romance with her celebrity partner Ben Cohen.

However, in 2015, the couple shared fears that they might lose their home after being struck by cash troubles, with Ben laying bare their monetary concerns in court.

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

Giving proof throughout the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, admitted he had actually bungled the handling of their car insurance coverage and informed how he was ‘combating to save his relationship and home’.

A good friend of the couple told the Mail he stated: ‘The previous 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 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 debilitating debts after they tilled every cent 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.’

Last year the couple shared fears that they might lose their home after being hit by cash problems, with Ben laying bare their monetary issues in court (visualized in 2021)

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

‘We’re in organization 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 simply 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 service 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, 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 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was efficiently ₤ 6,633 at a loss, considering future liabilities, in its last represent the period ending on July 31, 2020.

The company’s represent the year ending in July 2021 have actually 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 established in December 2021 and dissolved by a voluntary strike off in February this year without ever filing accounts.

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

A fifth company called Yoga Wellbeing which is 100 percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 in the red, considering future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are likewise almost 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ initially increased to popularity as a candidate on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic (imagined with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has because clarify the money concerns some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into debt when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

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

While the star had actually formerly wanted to kickstart a new period of dance success by departing the show, the pandemic forced him to cancel his organized dance tour, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into debt.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ clarified the cash problems some Strictly stars can deal with after leaving the show.

He stated: ‘We had a business where we were running our own trip and the trip was cut brief. We paid all of our dancers due to the fact that, personally, I felt like that was the best thing to do. We ended up with a barrel expense 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 tough choice to be made, however that’s what it is when you are running your own company.

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

AJ stated it is hard when a great deal of his buddies believe he’s a after starring on Strictly, however, he explained that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he makes is nowhere near that.

The dancer said: ‘I think a lot of people anticipate you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and quickly be a millionaire. Once you’ve paid your tax and your VAT, and if you’re a minimal business, that’s not even close.

‘I think openness is a positive thing in this day and age, but the majority of people don’t really want to talk about their finances.

‘And I think individuals are interested by money. People love 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 variety of big cash offers and AJ says some individuals 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 set up ‘using our own cash’ a financial investment company called FINT to assist to ‘inform’ people.

AJ ended up being really open about how in some cases the TV bookings and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars need to discover how to ‘adapt’ their profession.

AJ stated it is hard when a great deal of his good friends think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, as after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he makes is nowhere near that

He continued: ‘It’s truly difficult I think in our market, the home entertainment market and a great deal of other industries today since a great deal of people 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 extremely first salary on Strictly I’ve constantly had that money invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a job in six months time, I do have money there that I can draw on if I require it.

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

‘It is necessary that people go into these big 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, individuals are dealing with the expense of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no different and is routinely snapped back into the ‘real world’ as he’s discovered the significant boost in daily items.

He described: ‘Every 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 paycheck. That’s the real life.

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

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

Robin Windsor

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

Despite drawing in an excellent ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately died with simply ₤ 879 in his company’s company 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 firm had not traded for some time and according to Companies House Records was dealing with an ‘active proposal’ to be struck off.

The company Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed practically ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, but owed financial institutions ₤ 15,000, indicating 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 paid back.

The business had actually transported revenues from a ‘variety of contracts 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 – along 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 throughout his time on Strictly which pertained to 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 company had not traded for some time (pictured on the program in 2013)

He likewise recalled 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 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 financial life was 2010, ‘my first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He stated: ‘Suddenly, I was making money I had only dreamt about. I probably made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not simply from Strictly however from work off the back of the show such as the trip and private performances.

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

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin said he ended up being so ‘bitter’ about not being enabled to return that he could not bear to view it, and he went into a ‘steady decline’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was significantly sacked by bosses 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 once thought about a favourite amongst Strictly fans, but in 2015 he was significantly sacked by employers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later verified and regretted his actions against Zara.

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

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

‘My extreme passion and determination to win may have affected my training regime.

‘While respecting the BBC HR procedure, 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 not able to discuss at this time, however I am committed to being strong for my family and good friends. I wish the Strictly household nothing however success in the future.’

Following his departure from the program, Graziano attempted to cash on his looks 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 ‘professional dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have actually capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For lots of 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

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

For many fans, Oti is considered one of Strictly’s most successful 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 income before she left the program in 2022, and given that her exit has generated a huge 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 Greatest Dancer, contributing 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 set up with her spouse Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has actually noted properties of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money offer to team up with Bravissimo on a ‘self-confidence increasing’ underclothing variety, and she and husband Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in 4 personal companies, which they co-own. consisting of the residential or commercial property company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in properties since in 2015.

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 reportedly paid a ₤ 200,000 charge.

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champ in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the program in 2020, has actually cashed in with a string of stage functions

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his automobile while attempting to kickstart his carrying out 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 company Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its most current assets with ₤ 42,234 staying after costs.

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his cars and truck while attempting to kickstart his performing profession, while managing it with an office task.

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

‘I invested loads of time sleeping in my cars and truck – basically living out of my vehicle – 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 task after task – typical office tasks, simply attempting to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was basically searching in my wallet going, I have actually simply been fired from another job. I have actually got 4 lessons tomorrow; I already can’t spend for 2 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 offer 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 fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his better half Ola following suit 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 capitalized their joint weight reduction over the last few years, setting up a physical fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe.

The pair offered their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million previously 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 company James and Ola Dance Academy which most just recently had ₤ 774,023 in properties and ₤ 465,002 after bills.

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC