How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Ended up In Debt

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

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

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

Pros who have actually bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor recently have actually shared their struggles with piling debts and money problems, with some even facing the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the most recent stars to be hit by the infamous ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the extreme financial troubles they had actually recently experienced are thought to have been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ paychecks to expose the fact about how for lots of, the money 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 financial troubles are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (pictured on the program in 2013)

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

However, in 2015, the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being hit by money woes, with Ben laying bare their monetary troubles 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 captured driving without insurance.

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

A pal of the couple informed the Mail he said: ‘The past six months have been hell for them and it has torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their household, they have actually selected to move forward as different individuals.

‘Those near to them who know them as a couple had actually hoped they would be able to work things out however for now it’s over and it looks 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 throughout the Covid pandemic.

In a tortuously frank admission Ben told the court: ‘I get up every day and I fight 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 fears that they might lose their home after being hit by cash problems, with Ben laying bare their financial woes in court (visualized in 2021)

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

‘We stay in business together so the problem is that we opened the service before Covid and we got the worst severities of it and in all truthfully this is simply another issue for me to deal with.

‘I have actually got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got an organization debt due to the fact that of Covid. It’s just another issue.’

The business was listed to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, but the action was suspended 9 days later on and ceased on April 28, 2023.

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

The business’s accounts for the year ending in July 2021 have actually still not been filed and are now almost 29 months overdue.

Another company called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is likewise owned by the Soo Yoga Group, was established in December 2021 and liquified by a voluntary strike off in February this year without ever submitting accounts.

A fourth company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other individuals was also included and voluntarily struck off on the exact same dates.

A fifth company called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 at a loss, taking into consideration future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are likewise almost 29 months past due, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

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

But AJ has because 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 increased to popularity as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show just months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had formerly hoped to start a new age of dance success by departing the show, the pandemic forced him to cancel his organized dance trip, plunging himself and bro Curtis into debt.

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

He stated: ‘We had a business where we were running our own tour and the tour was cut brief. We paid all of our dancers because, personally, I felt like that was the best thing to do. We wound up with a barrel expense which came out of our own pocket.

‘We didn’t earn money, 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 business.

‘They definitely did value it. I possibly didn’t value the financial obligation that I was left in however, hi, it’s a decision that was made.’

AJ stated it is hard when a great deal of his buddies think he’s a ‘millionaire’ 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 believe 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 restricted business, that’s not even close.

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

‘And I think people are intrigued by cash. People love to see numbers and like to see good 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 thrown into a variety of huge cash offers and AJ states some people have no idea how to handle that sort of amount of cash.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘want to make a difference’ and have established ‘using our own cash’ a financial investment firm called FINT to help to ‘educate’ people.

AJ ended up being really open about how often the TV reservations and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars have to learn how to ‘adapt’ their career.

AJ stated it is hard when a great deal of his buddies believe 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 really difficult I believe in our industry, the show business and a great deal of other markets right now because a great deal of individuals are being laid off. It does play on your mental health if you don’t have that next task.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested cash, from my very first wage on Strictly I have actually constantly had actually that cash invested into different 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 simply sometimes having to change what it is you believe you are going to do and adapt a little bit. Adapting is hard but you do need to adjust often.

‘It is very important that people enter into these big programs that they’re enjoying but they have a profession behind them like myself and Curt. We’re both expert dancers, we can go all over the world and teach.’

Every day, individuals are dealing with the cost of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no different and is routinely snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s seen the dramatic boost in everyday products.

He described: ‘Every single day I’m brought back to truth. I pulled up at the fuel pump today and the diesel was 10p more expensive due to decisions that have been made much higher up than my income. That’s the genuine world.

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

‘Even when inflation boils down, it does not imply that it returns to what it was. Life is going to be difficult for a great deal of people this year and I do not believe it’s going to get any easier.’

Robin Windsor

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

Despite drawing in an outstanding ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically passed away with simply ₤ 879 in his company’s service 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 company had actually not traded for some 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 almost ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, but owed creditors ₤ 15,000, implying 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 company had actually directed profits from a ‘wide range of agreements to supply performing arts services within the media market’, documents stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been dealing with a Fred Olsen Cruise – alongside 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 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 company had actually not traded for a long time (envisioned on the show in 2013)

He also recalled one time he made ‘silly cash’, informing 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 remembered in September 2022 that the ‘finest’ year of his financial life was 2010, ‘my first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He said: ‘Suddenly, 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 tour and private 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 allowed to return that he could not bear to watch it, and he entered into a ‘consistent decline’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was dramatically sacked by managers last year following claims of gross misconduct towards his former superstar partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was once considered a preferred among Strictly fans, but in 2015 he was drastically sacked by employers following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later on verified and regretted his actions against Zara.

Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘ravaged’ Di Prima wrote on Instagram: ‘I deeply regret the events that caused my departure from Strictly.

Strictly Come Dancing abundant list: The professional dancers waltzing all the method to the bank after making MILLIONS thanks to the show

‘My intense enthusiasm and decision to win might have impacted my training routine.

‘While respecting the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s only ideal for the sake of the program that I step away. I am distressed that I wasn’t permitted to use a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the level of sensitivity of the situation.

‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to go over at this time, however I am committed to being strong for my friends and family. I want the Strictly household absolutely nothing however 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 refer to himself as a ‘professional dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have actually cashed in on their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For numerous fans, Oti is considered one of 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 appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and likewise made a reported ₤ 200,000 fee 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 champion 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 program in 2022, and given that her exit has accumulated a huge fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

Since then, she has looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was likewise a panellist on The Masked Dancer, and BBC’s The Greatest 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 hubby Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has actually noted properties of ₤ 510,953, according to its newest accounts.

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

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

And Oti has actually only contributed to her fortune in recent 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 champ in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the program in 2020, has cashed in with a string of phase functions

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his vehicle while attempting to start his carrying out career

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

His firm Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its latest possessions with ₤ 42,234 staying after bills.

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t always been easy, in 2019 that he used to sleep in his vehicle while trying to kickstart his carrying out career, while juggling it with a workplace job.

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

‘I spent loads of time sleeping in my vehicle – 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 task after job – normal workplace tasks, simply trying to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was generally searching in my wallet going, I have actually simply been fired from another job. I have actually got 4 lessons tomorrow; I currently can’t spend for 2 of them.

‘I’m going to need to blag it with the teacher and state,” 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 capitalized their joint weight reduction in current years, 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 following match two years lateer.

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

The couple have actually cashed in on their joint weight-loss in the last few years, setting up a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe.

The pair sold their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have considering that downsized to a home more ‘ideal’ for their child Ella.

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC