How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have actually Wound Up In Debt

For audiences tuning into BBC’s megahit Strictly Come Dancing, they would be right in assuming that its stars should be making a hefty fortune.

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

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

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

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become 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 monetary troubles they had just 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 debt – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial problems are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (imagined on the show in 2013)

Kristina previously appeared on Strictly as a professional from 2008 to 2015, making headlines when she started a love with her star partner Ben Cohen.

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

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

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

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

‘Those near to them who know them as a couple had hoped they would be able to work things out but for now it’s over and it looks like there’s no going back.’

The couple were left with crippling financial obligations 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 fight not to lose whatever – to lose my vehicles and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared fears that they might lose their home after being struck by cash troubles, with Ben laying bare their financial concerns in court (envisioned in 2021)

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

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

‘I have actually got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got a business financial obligation since of Covid. It’s just another issue.’

The company was listed to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, however the action was suspended nine days later on and stopped 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 effectively ₤ 6,633 in the red, taking into consideration 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 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 fourth business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by 3 other individuals was likewise included and willingly struck off on the same dates.

A fifth company 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 first increased to popularity as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show simply months before the Covid pandemic (envisioned with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has because clarify the cash problems some Strictly stars can deal with, and shared that he was plunged into debt when his dance trip was cancelled in 2020

AJ first rose to popularity as a candidate 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 kickstart a brand-new period of dance success by departing the program, the pandemic required him to cancel his planned dance tour, plunging himself and bro Curtis into financial obligation.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ clarified the money 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 due to the fact that, personally, I felt like that was the right thing to do. We ended up with a barrel costs 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 difficult choice to be made, but that’s what it is when you are running your own company.

‘They certainly did value it. I maybe didn’t value the financial obligation that I was left in but, hey, it’s a choice that was made.’

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his good friends believe he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, nevertheless, he described that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he earns is no place near that.

The dancer said: ‘I believe a lot of people 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 restricted business, that’s not even close.

‘I think transparency is a favorable thing in this day and age, however the of people don’t actually desire to talk about their financial resources.

‘And I believe people are fascinated by cash. People enjoy to see numbers and enjoy to see good things, and a great deal of times you need to live within your own means.’

After leaving shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a number of huge cash deals and AJ states some people have no concept how to handle that sort of sum of cash.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘desire to make a difference’ and have set up ‘using our own money’ a monetary investment business called FINT to assist to ‘inform’ people.

AJ ended up being extremely open about how often the TV bookings and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars have to find out how to ‘adjust’ their profession.

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his good friends 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 truly hard I think in our market, the entertainment industry and a lot of other industries today due to the fact that a great deal of individuals are being laid off. It does play on your psychological health if you do not have that next task.

‘Myself and Curtis have actually invested cash, from my really first salary on Strictly I have actually always had that money invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a task in 6 months time, I do have money there that I can draw on if I need it.

‘And at the end of the day, there are always tasks out there. It’s just in some cases having to change what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a bit. Adapting is tough however you do have to adapt in some cases.

‘It is very important that people enter into these big programs that they’re delighting in but 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 expense of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no various and is routinely snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s noticed the dramatic increase in daily items.

He explained: ‘Every day I’m brought back to reality. I pulled up at the gas pump today and the diesel was 10p more pricey due to choices that have actually been made much greater up than my income. That’s the genuine world.

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

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

Robin Windsor

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

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

The company Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed practically ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted 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 company and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the business, which was paid back.

The business had carried revenues from a ‘variety of agreements to offer carrying out arts services within the media industry’, paperwork said.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been working on a Fred Olsen Cruise – along with fellow Strictly expert 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 throughout his time on Strictly which came to 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 revealed his firm had actually not traded for a long time (imagined on the program in 2013)

He also recalled one time he earned ‘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 occasion. Our dance lasted 2 minutes.’

He kept in mind in September 2022 that the ‘finest’ year of his financial life was 2010, ‘my very first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He stated: ‘Suddenly, I was earning cash I had actually only dreamt about. I most likely made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not simply from Strictly however from work off the back of the program such as the tour and private performances.

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

Discussing 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 entered into a ‘steady decline’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

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

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

Graziano was once considered a preferred among Strictly fans, however last year he was considerably sacked by bosses following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later validated and regretted his actions versus Zara.

Addressing his exit from the program, a ‘devastated’ Di Prima wrote on Instagram: ‘I deeply regret the occasions that caused 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 extreme enthusiasm and decision to win might have affected my training routine.

‘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 offer a quote to the online newspaper article, and I take on board the sensitivity of the circumstance.

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

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

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

Oti Mabuse

For lots of 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

Since then, she has actually appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and likewise made a reported ₤ 200,000 charge for her stint on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For numerous fans, Oti is considered 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 wage before she left the program in 2022, and since her exit has generated a substantial fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

Since then, she has actually looked like 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 signing up with the Strictly lineup, Oti likewise 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 set up in February 2017, and has actually noted possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

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

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in four personal business, which they co-own. consisting of the residential or commercial property company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in properties as of in 2015.

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

Kevin Clifton

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

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

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

His company Supreme Dance stated ₤ 104,993 in its newest assets with ₤ 42,234 remaining after costs.

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his automobile while trying to start his performing 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 oversleep my cars and truck and then I can afford 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I invested loads of time oversleeping my automobile – basically living out of my cars and truck – 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 just getting fired from job after task – regular workplace jobs, just trying to sustain my dancer profession.

‘I was basically searching in my wallet going, I’ve simply been fired from another task. I have actually got four lessons tomorrow; I already can’t pay 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 cash on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually capitalized their joint weight-loss in the last few years, establishing a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his spouse Ola following fit 2 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 actually cashed in on their joint weight-loss in current years, setting up a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe.

The pair offered their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have actually given that downsized to a home more ‘ideal’ for their child Ella.

Much of their earnings is funnelled through their firm James and Ola Dance Academy which most recently had ₤ 774,023 in properties and ₤ 465,002 after bills.

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC