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

For viewers tuning into BBC’s megahit Strictly Come Dancing, they would be right in assuming that its stars must be earning a large 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 fascinating watch throughout the fall months.

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

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

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

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ incomes 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 wound up in debt – as Kristina Rihanoff’s monetary problems 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 started a romance with her celeb partner Ben Cohen.

However, last year, the couple shared worries that they could lose their home after being hit by cash problems, with Ben laying bare their financial concerns in court.

The extent of the couple’s struggles were laid bare in uncommon scenarios – during a court appearance 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 bungled the handling of their cars and truck insurance policy and informed how he was ‘fighting to save his relationship and home’.

A pal of the couple informed the Mail he stated: ‘The previous 6 months have been hell for them and it has actually torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their family, they have picked to go forward as separate people.

‘Those near to them who know them as a couple had 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 entrusted debilitating debts after they ploughed 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 fight not to lose whatever – to lose my cars and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

Last year the couple shared worries that they could lose their home after being struck by money woes, with Ben laying bare their monetary problems in court (pictured in 2021)

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

‘We stay in business together so the issue is that we opened business before Covid and we got the worst seriousness of it and in all honestly 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 got a business financial obligation due to the fact that of Covid. It’s simply another issue.’

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

Records likewise expose that a food services company called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was successfully ₤ 6,633 in the red, considering future liabilities, in its last accounts for the period ending on July 31, 2020.

The business’s represent the year ending in July 2021 have actually 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 dissolved by a voluntary strike off in February this year without ever submitting accounts.

A fourth business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other people was likewise included and voluntarily struck off on the same dates.

A 5th business called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 in the red, taking into account future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are likewise nearly 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

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

But AJ has since shed light on the money troubles some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into debt when his dance trip was in 2020

AJ initially rose to fame as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had previously hoped to kickstart a new era of dance success by departing the program, the pandemic required him to cancel his organized dance trip, plunging himself and brother Curtis into debt.

Speaking with MailOnline, AJ clarified the money concerns some Strictly stars can face after leaving the program.

He said: ‘We had a business where we were running our own tour and the trip was cut short. We paid all of our dancers due to the fact that, personally, I seemed like that was the best thing to do. We wound up with a VAT bill which came out of our own pocket.

‘We didn’t make money, myself or Curtis, however we paid all of our dancers. It’s a hard decision to be made, but 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, hello, it’s a decision that was made.’

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his friends 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 individuals 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 truly desire to talk about their finances.

‘And I believe people are captivated by money. People love to see numbers and like to see nice things, and a lot of times you need to live within your own ways.’

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a variety of huge cash offers and AJ says some individuals have no concept how to handle that sort of amount of cash.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a difference’ and have actually established ‘utilizing our own money’ a financial investment company called FINT to help to ‘inform’ people.

AJ became really open about how often the TV reservations and photoshoots can suddenly stop and stars have to find out how to ‘adjust’ 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 makes is no place near that

He continued: ‘It’s really difficult I think in our market, the show business and a lot of other industries right now due to the fact that a lot of individuals 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 wage on Strictly I have actually constantly had actually that money invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work in 6 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 sometimes having to alter what it is you believe you are going to do and adjust a little bit. Adapting is tough but you do need to adapt in some cases.

‘It is essential that people enter into these huge programs that they’re enjoying however 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 facing the expense of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no various and is frequently snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s observed the remarkable boost in daily items.

He explained: ‘Every single day I’m reminded reality. I brought up at the petrol pump today and the diesel was 10p more costly due to decisions that have actually been made much higher up than my income. That’s the real life.

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

‘Even when inflation boils down, it doesn’t suggest that it goes back to what it was. Life is going to be difficult for a lot of people this year and I do not believe it’s going to get any simpler.’

Robin Windsor

Despite drawing in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately passed away with just ₤ 879 in his company’s organization account

Despite pulling in an impressive ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically died with simply ₤ 879 in his business’s business 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 actually not traded for a long time and according to Companies House Records was facing an ‘active proposal’ to be struck off.

The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed almost ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, however 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 company, which was paid back.

The business had transported revenues from a ‘wide range of agreements to supply performing arts services within the media industry’, documents stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had actually been working on a Fred Olsen Cruise – along with fellow Strictly professional Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and posted images 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 found dead in a London hotel in February, and in the wake of his passing it was exposed his firm had actually not traded for a long time (envisioned on the program in 2013)

He likewise recalled one time he made ‘silly cash’, telling 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 ‘best’ year of his financial life was 2010, ‘my first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He stated: ‘Suddenly, I was generating income 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 personal efficiencies.

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

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin stated he became so ‘bitter’ about not being enabled to return that he could not bear to enjoy it, and he entered into a ‘stable decline’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was significantly sacked by managers in 2015 following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former superstar partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was as soon as thought about a preferred amongst Strictly fans, however in 2015 he was significantly sacked by bosses following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous celeb partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later verified and regretted his actions versus Zara.

Addressing his exit from the program, a ‘devastated’ Di Prima wrote on Instagram: ‘I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly.

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

‘My intense enthusiasm and determination to win may have affected my training regime.

‘While appreciating 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 enabled to provide a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the level of sensitivity of the scenario.

‘There’s more to this story that I am not able to go over at this time, but I am dedicated to being strong for my friends and family. I want the Strictly household nothing however success in the future.’

Following his departure from the program, 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 cashed in on their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For numerous fans, Oti is considered among 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 appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and also earned a reported ₤ 200,000 charge for her stint on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! last year

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.

The dancer was reported to be on a ₤ 410,000 wage before she left the program in 2022, and given that her exit has collected a substantial fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Ever since, she has appeared as 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 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 hubby Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has actually listed assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money deal to collaborate with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence increasing’ underclothing range, and she and partner Marius likewise share a ₤ 590,000 London mansion.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of possessions 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 actually just added to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! where she was supposedly paid a ₤ 200,000 cost.

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champion in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the program in 2020, has actually moneyed in with a string of phase functions

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t always been easy, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his cars and truck while attempting to kickstart his carrying out profession

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

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

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his car while attempting to start his carrying out profession, while managing it with an office task.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he stated: ‘If there’s nobody there, I’ll sleep in my cars and truck and then I can afford two of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I invested loads of time oversleeping my cars and truck – 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 job after task – regular office jobs, just trying to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was generally searching in my wallet going, I have actually just been fired from another job. I’ve 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 say,” Oh, there’s been an issue at the bank. I’m going to need to provide you the cash on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually capitalized their joint weight reduction recently, establishing a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his spouse Ola doing the same 2 years lateer.

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

The couple have actually cashed in on their joint weight loss in current years, setting up a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe.

The pair sold their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have actually given that scaled down to a home more ‘ideal’ 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 assets and ₤ 465,002 after bills.

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC