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

For audiences tuning into BBC’s megahit Strictly Come Dancing, they would be ideal in presuming that its stars need to be earning a large fortune.

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

However, while it has been assumed that Strictly professionals need to make a pretty cent, and years of success, through their time on the program, for many it’s a completely different story.

Pros who have actually bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor recently have actually shared their struggles with piling debts and money troubles, with some even dealing with the possibility of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the newest stars to be struck by the notorious ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the extreme financial difficulties they had actually just recently experienced are believed to have actually lagged their split.

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

Kristina Rihanoff

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

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

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

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

Giving evidence during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, admitted he had made a mess of the of their vehicle insurance policy and told how he was ‘combating to conserve his relationship and home’.

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

‘Those near to them who understand them as a couple had 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 left with debilitating debts after they ploughed 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 everything – to lose my cars 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 concerns, with Ben laying bare their monetary troubles in court (pictured in 2021)

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

‘We stay in business together so the problem is that we opened business before Covid and we got the worst seriousness of it and in all honestly this is just another problem for me to handle.

‘I have actually got credit cards that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got a company financial obligation due to the fact that of Covid. It’s just another problem.’

The company was listed to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, however the action was suspended nine days later and discontinued 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 in the red, taking into account future liabilities, in its last represent the duration ending on July 31, 2020.

The company’s accounts for the year ending in July 2021 have still not been filed 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 established 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 people 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 account future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are also nearly 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

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

But AJ has since clarify the money 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 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 program, the pandemic forced him to cancel his organized dance trip, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into debt.

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

He said: ‘We had a business where we were running our own trip and the trip was cut short. 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 barrel bill 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 choice to be made, but that’s what it is when you are running your own company.

‘They certainly did appreciate 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 great deal of his buddies 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 think a great deal of individuals 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 minimal company, that’s not even close.

‘I believe transparency is a positive thing in this day and age, but most people don’t really want to talk about their financial resources.

‘And I think individuals are captivated by money. People enjoy 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 shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a number of big money offers and AJ says some people have no concept how to handle that kind of amount of money.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a distinction’ and have set up ‘using our own money’ a financial investment company called FINT to assist to ‘educate’ people.

AJ became very open about how in some cases the TV reservations and photoshoots can suddenly stop and stars need to discover how to ‘adjust’ their career.

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his pals 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 difficult I believe in our industry, the home entertainment market and a lot of other markets today because a lot of individuals are being laid off. It does play on your psychological health if you don’t have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested money, from my very first wage on Strictly I’ve constantly had actually that cash invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work in six months time, I do have cash 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 in some cases needing to change what it is you think you are going to do and adjust a bit. Adapting is tough but you do need to adjust often.

‘It’s crucial that people enter into these huge programs that they’re enjoying but they have an occupation behind them like myself and Curt. We’re both expert dancers, we can go all over the world and teach.’

Every day, people are facing the cost of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no various and is routinely snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s observed the significant increase in daily items.

He discussed: ‘Each and every single day I’m reminded truth. I pulled up at the gas pump today and the diesel was 10p more costly due to decisions that have been made much higher up than my paycheck. That’s the real world.

‘I resembled, ‘What 10p more pricey from the other day to today’, like that’s crazy. I think people forget, the cost of living and inflation’s gone up.

‘Even when inflation comes down, it does not indicate that it goes back to what it was. Life is going to be tough for a great deal of individuals this year and I don’t believe 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 business’s service account

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

The dancer was found dead in a London hotel in February last year, and in the wake of his passing it was revealed 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 company Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed nearly ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, but owed lenders ₤ 15,000, indicating it was ₤ 8,350 in the red.

At the height of his celebrity in 2015 and 2016 he held more than ₤ 23,000 in the business and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the business, which was paid back.

The company had directed earnings from a ‘wide range of agreements to provide performing arts services within the media industry’, documentation stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been dealing with 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 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 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 (imagined on the program in 2013)

He also remembered one time he earned ‘silly cash’, 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 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 said: ‘Suddenly, I was making cash I had actually just 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 tour and private performances.

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

Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin stated he ended up being so ‘bitter’ about not being enabled to return that he could not bear to watch it, and he entered into a ‘constant decrease’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

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

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

Graziano was when thought about a preferred among Strictly fans, however in 2015 he was considerably sacked by bosses following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later validated and regretted his actions versus 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 abundant list: The expert dancers waltzing all the method to the bank after earning MILLIONS thanks to the program

‘My extreme enthusiasm and determination to win may have affected my training routine.

‘While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s just ideal for the sake of the show that I step away. I am distressed that I wasn’t enabled to offer a quote to the online newspaper article, and I take on board the level of sensitivity of the situation.

‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, but I am devoted to being strong for my family and pals. I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future.’

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

And the stars who have capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For many fans, Oti is thought about among Strictly’s most successful exports, with the dancer crowned series champion for 2 years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

Since then, she has actually looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and also made a reported ₤ 200,000 fee for her stint on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! last year

For many fans, Oti is thought about one of Strictly’s most effective exports, with the dancer crowned series champion 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 show in 2022, and because her exit has actually amassed 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, adding 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 noted as a director of Pure Mabuse Limited, which she set up with her partner Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has actually noted assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its most current accounts.

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

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in 4 private business, which they co-own. consisting of the home firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in assets since last year.

And Oti has only contributed to her fortune in current months by appearing on I’m A Star 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 actually cashed in with a string of stage functions

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t always been easy, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his car while attempting to start his carrying out profession

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

His firm Supreme Dance stated ₤ 104,993 in its newest assets with ₤ 42,234 staying after bills.

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his automobile while attempting to start his carrying out career, while juggling it with an office task.

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

‘I invested loads of time oversleeping my car – basically living out of my vehicle – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People believe 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 office tasks, just trying to sustain my dancer profession.

‘I was basically looking in my wallet going, I’ve just been fired from another job. I have actually got four lessons tomorrow; I currently can’t pay for 2 of them.

‘I’m going to need to blag it with the instructor and say,” Oh, there’s been a problem at the bank. I’m going to need to give you the money on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually cashed in on their joint weight-loss over the last few years, establishing a fitness website 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 couple of years later for the All Stars variation and won Dancing On Ice in 2019.

The couple have capitalized their joint weight loss over the last few years, setting up a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe.

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

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC