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 presuming that its stars must be earning 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 actually helped make the series a fascinating watch throughout the fall months.

However, while it has actually been assumed that Strictly professionals should make a quite cent, and years of success, through their time on the show, for the majority of it’s an entirely various story.

Pros who have actually bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor in the last few years have shared their battles with piling financial obligations and money woes, with some even dealing with the prospect of losing their homes.

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

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

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly’s popular dancers have actually wound up in financial obligation – 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 headings when she started a love with her star partner Ben Cohen.

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

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

Giving evidence during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, admitted he had actually mishandled the handling of their car insurance policy and told how he was ‘battling to conserve his relationship and home’.

A pal of the couple told the Mail he said: ‘The previous 6 months have 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 separate people.

‘Those near to them who understand them as a couple had hoped they would have the ability to work things out however for now it’s over and it appears like there’s no going back.’

The couple were entrusted crippling debts after they tilled every penny they had into a yoga studio which plunged into crisis throughout the Covid pandemic.

In a tortuously frank admission Ben informed the court: ‘I get up every day and I fight not to lose everything – to lose my cars and trucks and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared worries that they could lose their home after being struck by cash issues, with Ben laying bare their financial troubles in court (imagined in 2021)

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

‘We’re in company together so the issue is that we opened business before Covid and we got the worst severities of it and in all honestly this is simply another problem 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 because of Covid. It’s simply another problem.’

The business was listed to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, however the action was suspended nine days later on and discontinued 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 successfully ₤ 6,633 in the red, taking into account future liabilities, in its last accounts for the duration 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 nearly 29 months overdue.

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

A 4th business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by 3 other people was also included and willingly struck off on the very same dates.

A fifth company called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 at a loss, considering 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 first rose to popularity as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show just months before the Covid pandemic (envisioned with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has since clarify the money troubles some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance trip was cancelled in 2020

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

While the star had previously hoped to start a brand-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 financial obligation.

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

He said: ‘We had a company where we were running our own trip and the tour was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers since, personally, I seemed like that was the ideal thing to do. We wound up with a VAT bill 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 tough decision to be made, however that’s what it is when you are running your own business.

‘They absolutely did appreciate it. I perhaps 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 great deal of his pals believe he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, nevertheless, he discussed 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 people expect you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and immediately 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 think transparency is a positive thing in this day and age, but most individuals do not truly wish to talk about their financial resources.

‘And I think individuals are interested by cash. People like to see numbers and love to see nice things, and a lot of times you require to live within your own ways.’

After leaving shows 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 concept how to handle that type of sum of cash.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a difference’ and have set up ‘using our own money’ a financial investment business called FINT to assist to ‘inform’ individuals.

AJ ended up being really open about how often the TV bookings and photoshoots can suddenly stop and stars have to discover how to ‘adapt’ their profession.

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his friends think 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 actually tough I believe in our industry, the entertainment market and a lot of other industries right now due to the fact that a great deal of people are being laid off. It does use your mental health if you don’t have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested money, from my extremely first pay check on Strictly I’ve always had actually that money invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work in six months time, I do have money there that I can make use of if I require it.

‘And at the end of the day, there are constantly jobs out there. It’s simply often needing to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adjust a little bit. Adapting is difficult however you do need to adjust in some cases.

‘It is necessary that people enter into these big shows that they’re enjoying however they have a profession behind them like myself and Curt. We’re both professional dancers, we can go all over the world and teach.’

Every day, people are dealing with the cost of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no different and is frequently snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s observed the dramatic increase in everyday items.

He described: ‘Every day I’m reminded reality. I pulled up at the petrol 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 costly from yesterday to today’, like that’s insane. I think individuals forget, the expense of living and inflation’s increased.

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

Robin Windsor

Despite drawing in an outstanding ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately passed away with simply ₤ 879 in his business’s organization account

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

The dancer was found dead in a London hotel in February in 2015, and in the wake of his passing it was revealed his company had actually not traded for a long 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 lenders ₤ 15,000, meaning 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 business, which was repaid.

The company had channelled profits from a ‘wide range of contracts to provide carrying out arts services within the media industry’, documents said.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been dealing with a Fred Olsen Cruise – alongside fellow Strictly expert Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and posted 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 came 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 exposed his company had not traded for some time (envisioned on the show in 2013)

He also recalled one time he earned ‘ridiculous cash’, telling 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 kept in mind in September 2022 that the ‘best’ year of his monetary life was 2010, ‘my very 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 just from Strictly however from work off the back of the show such as the tour and personal performances.

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

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin stated 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 show.

Graziano Di Prima

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

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

Graziano was once considered a favourite amongst Strictly fans, however in 2015 he was dramatically 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 program, a ‘ravaged’ Di Prima wrote on Instagram: ‘I deeply are sorry for the events that resulted in my departure from Strictly.

Strictly Come Dancing rich list: The expert dancers waltzing all the method to the bank after earning MILLIONS thanks to the program

‘My intense passion and determination to win may have impacted my training program.

‘While appreciating the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s only right 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 newspaper article, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation.

‘There’s more to this story that I am not able to talk about at this time, however I am devoted to being strong for my household and friends. I wish the Strictly family nothing however 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 describe himself as a ‘expert dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For lots of fans, Oti is considered one of Strictly’s most successful exports, with the dancer crowned series champion for two 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 cost for her stint on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For many fans, Oti is considered among Strictly’s most effective 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 show in 2022, and given that her exit has collected a huge fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Ever since, she has appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was likewise a panellist on The Masked Dancer, and BBC’s The best 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 listed as a director of Pure Mabuse Limited, which she established with her hubby Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has listed possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its most current accounts.

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

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in four personal business, which they co-own. including the residential or commercial property company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in assets as of last year.

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

Kevin Clifton

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

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t always been easy, revealing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his vehicle while attempting to kickstart his performing 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 firm Supreme Dance stated ₤ 104,993 in its latest possessions with ₤ 42,234 remaining after costs.

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his vehicle while attempting to start his performing profession, while managing it with a workplace job.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he stated: ‘If there’s no one there, I’ll sleep in my vehicle and then I can pay for 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I spent loads of time oversleeping my automobile – essentially living out of my automobile – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People think we live these easy, showbiz, attractive lives and it’s not like that.

‘There’s been times where I was simply getting fired from task after job – regular workplace tasks, simply attempting to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was essentially searching in my wallet going, I have actually just been fired from another task. I have actually got four lessons tomorrow; I already can’t spend for 2 of them.

‘I’m going to have to blag it with the teacher and state,” Oh, there’s been an issue 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 cashed in on their joint weight loss in the last few years, establishing a physical fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe

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

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

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

The pair offered their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have actually considering that scaled down to a home more ‘appropriate’ for their daughter 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 costs.

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC