How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Wound Up In Debt

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

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

However, while it has actually been assumed that Strictly experts need to earn a pretty penny, and years of success, through their time on the program, for most it’s a completely various story.

Pros who have actually bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor in current years have actually shared their battles with piling financial obligations and cash concerns, with some even facing the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the most current stars to be hit by the infamous ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the serious financial troubles they had actually recently experienced are believed to have lagged their split.

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

Kristina Rihanoff

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

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

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

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

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

A pal of the couple informed the Mail he stated: ‘The previous six months have been hell for them and it has torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their family, they have picked to move forward as different people.

‘Those near to them who understand 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 entrusted 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 told the court: ‘I get up every day and I battle not to lose everything – to lose my cars and trucks and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

Last year the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being struck by cash issues, with Ben laying bare their financial problems in court (imagined in 2021)

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

‘We stay in business together so the problem is that we opened the company before Covid and we got the worst intensities 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 got a company financial obligation due to the fact that of Covid. It’s just another issue.’

The business was noted to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, however the action was suspended nine days later and stopped 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 efficiently ₤ 6,633 in the red, considering future liabilities, in its last accounts for the duration ending on July 31, 2020.

The company’s accounts for the year ending in July 2021 have still not been submitted and are now nearly 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 3 other individuals was also included and voluntarily struck off on the same dates.

A 5th business called Yoga Wellbeing which is 100 percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 at a loss, taking into account 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 rose to fame as an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply months before the Covid pandemic (pictured with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has considering that clarify the cash problems some Strictly stars can deal with, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

AJ first increased to fame as an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had actually formerly hoped to start a new era of dance success by leaving the program, the pandemic required him to cancel his scheduled dance trip, plunging himself and brother Curtis into debt.

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

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

‘They absolutely did value it. I possibly didn’t value the debt that I was left in however, hey, it’s a choice that was made.’

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

The dancer stated: ‘I believe a lot of people 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 limited company, that’s not even close.

‘I believe transparency is a favorable thing in this day and age, however many people do not truly wish to speak about their finances.

‘And I believe individuals are interested by money. People love to see numbers and love to see great things, and a lot of times you need to live within your own means.’

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a variety of big money deals and AJ says some individuals have no idea how to manage that sort of amount of money.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘want to make a distinction’ and have actually established ‘utilizing our own money’ a financial investment company called FINT to assist to ‘educate’ individuals.

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

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his pals 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 hard I think in our market, the entertainment market and a lot of other industries today since a great deal of individuals are being laid off. It does use your psychological health if you do not have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested cash, from my very first salary on Strictly I have actually constantly had actually that money invested into various 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 constantly tasks out there. It’s just often needing to change what it is you believe you are going to do and adjust a little bit. Adapting is hard but you do have to adjust in some cases.

‘It is very important that individuals enter into these big programs that they’re taking pleasure 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 dealing with the cost of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no various and is routinely snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s observed the dramatic increase in everyday products.

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

‘I was like, ‘What 10p more costly from yesterday to today’, like that’s crazy. I think individuals forget, the expense of living and inflation’s increased.

‘Even when inflation boils down, it doesn’t imply that it goes back to what it was. Life is going to be difficult for a lot of individuals this year and I don’t think it’s going to get any easier.’

Robin Windsor

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

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

The dancer was discovered dead in a London hotel in February last year, and in the wake of his passing it was exposed his company had 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 filed accounts, however 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 business and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the company, which was repaid.

The business had actually directed earnings from a ‘wide array of contracts to provide carrying out arts services within the media industry’, documentation stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had 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 told how he was paid ₤ 100,000 a year during his time on Strictly which pertained to 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 (envisioned on the program in 2013)

He likewise recalled one time he earned ‘silly money’, informing This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were once paid ₤ 10,000 each to remain in a luxury 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 ‘finest’ year of his monetary life was 2010, ‘my first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He stated: ‘All of a sudden, I was making cash I had just dreamt about. I probably made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not just from Strictly however from work off the back of the program such as the trip and personal performances.

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

Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin stated he became 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 show.

Graziano Di Prima

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

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

Graziano was when thought about a favourite among Strictly fans, however in 2015 he was significantly sacked by employers following claims of gross misconduct 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 are sorry for the events that led to 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 program

‘My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.

‘While appreciating the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s just best for the sake of the show that I step away. I am distressed that I wasn’t permitted to use 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 talk about at this time, however I am devoted to being strong for my friends and family. I wish the Strictly household nothing but success in the future.’

Following his departure from the program, Graziano tried to cash on his appearances on the program, with personalised 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 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 2 years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

Ever since, she has actually appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and likewise made a reported ₤ 200,000 cost for her stint on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! last year

For lots of fans, Oti is thought about 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 considering that 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 likewise a panellist on The Masked Dancer, and BBC’s The Greatest Dancer, adding to a rumoured fortune of more than ₤ 1.4 million.

Before signing up with the Strictly lineup, Oti also 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 husband Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has listed properties 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 boosting’ underwear variety, and she and partner Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London mansion.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of possessions in 4 private companies, which they co-own. consisting of the home firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in assets as of in 2015.

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

Kevin Clifton

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

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t always been simple, revealing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his vehicle while trying to kickstart his carrying out profession

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

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

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t always been easy, revealing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his car while attempting to kickstart his carrying out profession, while juggling it with an office job.

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

‘I invested loads of time sleeping in my car – generally 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 just getting fired from task after task – regular workplace tasks, simply trying to sustain my dancer profession.

‘I was basically searching in my wallet going, I have actually simply been fired from another task. I have actually 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 state,” Oh, there’s been an issue at the bank. I’m going to have to offer you the money on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually cashed in on their joint weight reduction in the last few years, establishing a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe

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

James has 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 actually capitalized their joint weight reduction in current years, establishing a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe.

The set sold their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million earlier 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 recently had ₤ 774,023 in properties and ₤ 465,002 after costs.

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC