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

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

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

However, while it has actually been presumed that Strictly specialists must earn a pretty penny, and years of success, through their time on the program, for most it’s an entirely various story.

Pros who have actually bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor over the last few years have shared their struggles with piling financial obligations and cash woes, with some even facing the possibility of losing their homes.

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

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

Kristina previously appeared on Strictly as an expert from 2008 to 2015, making headlines when she began a love with her celebrity partner Ben Cohen.

However, in 2015, the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being struck by money woes, with Ben laying bare their financial troubles in court.

The degree of the couple’s battles were laid bare in uncommon circumstances – during 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, confessed he had actually made a mess of the handling of their vehicle insurance plan and informed how he was ‘fighting to conserve his relationship and home’.

A pal of the couple told the Mail he said: ‘The previous 6 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 actually picked to move forward as separate people.

‘Those near 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 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 combat not to lose everything – to lose my vehicles and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared fears that they could lose their home after being struck by cash concerns, with Ben laying bare their monetary problems in court (envisioned 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 issue is that we opened the service before Covid and we got the worst severities of it and in all truthfully this is simply another problem for me to handle.

‘I’ve got credit cards that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have got an organization financial obligation due to the fact that of Covid. It’s just another issue.’

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

also 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 at a loss, taking into account future liabilities, in its last accounts for the period ending on July 31, 2020.

The company’s accounts for the year ending in July 2021 have 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 established in December 2021 and liquified by a voluntary strike off in February this year without ever filing accounts.

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

A 5th company 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 past due, 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 program simply months before the Covid pandemic (imagined with Saffron Barker in 2019)

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

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

While the star had actually previously wanted to start a brand-new era of dance success by departing the show, the pandemic required him to cancel his planned dance trip, plunging himself and brother Curtis into debt.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ clarified the cash troubles 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 brief. We paid all of our dancers since, personally, I felt like that was the best thing to do. We ended 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 tough decision to be made, however that’s what it is when you are running your own company.

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

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

The dancer said: ‘I think a great deal of individuals expect you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and instantly 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 think openness is a positive thing in this day and age, but the majority of people don’t actually want to speak about their financial resources.

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

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a variety of big money offers and AJ states some individuals have no concept how to deal with that kind of sum of money.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a distinction’ and have set up ‘using our own money’ a monetary investment company called FINT to help to ‘educate’ people.

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

AJ stated it is hard when a great deal of his buddies think 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 difficult I believe in our industry, the show business and a lot of other industries today because a great deal of individuals are being laid off. It does use your mental health if you do not have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested money, from my really first pay check on Strictly I have actually always had actually that money invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a task in 6 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 constantly tasks out there. It’s simply sometimes needing to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a bit. Adapting is difficult however you do have to adjust sometimes.

‘It is necessary that individuals go into these huge shows 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 dealing with the expense of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no different and is frequently snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s noticed the remarkable increase in everyday products.

He discussed: ‘Every day I’m brought back to reality. I brought up at the fuel pump today and the diesel was 10p more pricey due to decisions that have been made much higher up than my paycheck. That’s the genuine world.

‘I resembled, ‘What 10p more expensive from yesterday to today’, like that’s crazy. I think people forget, the cost of living and inflation’s increased.

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

Robin Windsor

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

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

The dancer was discovered dead in a London hotel in February last year, and in the wake of his passing it was revealed his company had not traded for some time and according to Companies House Records was dealing with 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, 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 business and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the company, which was paid back.

The business had actually carried earnings from a ‘wide range of agreements to supply carrying out arts services within the media market’, documents stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had actually been working on a Fred Olsen Cruise – along with fellow Strictly expert Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and published images of himself when the boat docked in South Africa.

Robin previously told how he was paid ₤ 100,000 a year throughout his time on Strictly which pertained 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 revealed his company had actually not traded for a long time (imagined on the show in 2013)

He also remembered 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 high-end 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 financial life was 2010, ‘my very first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He stated: ‘Suddenly, I was making money I had actually 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 trip and personal performances.

‘When you’re on prime-time TV, everybody wants 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 couldn’t bear to view it, and he entered into a ‘steady decline’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was considerably sacked by employers last year following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former celebrity partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was when thought about a favourite amongst Strictly fans, however last year he was considerably sacked by bosses following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former superstar partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later validated and regretted his actions versus Zara.

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

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

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

‘While respecting the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s just right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t permitted to provide 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 go over at this time, however I am committed to being strong for my family and buddies. I wish 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 show, 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 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

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 Star Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For many fans, Oti is considered among Strictly’s most successful 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 since her exit has actually amassed a huge fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

Since then, she has appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was also 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 also 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 established with her other half Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has actually noted assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its newest accounts.

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

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of possessions in four personal business, which they co-own. consisting of the home company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in possessions as of in 2015.

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

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 stage roles

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

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

His firm Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its most current possessions with ₤ 42,234 staying after expenses.

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his car while attempting to kickstart his performing career, while handling it with an office task.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he said: ‘If there’s nobody there, I’ll sleep in my car 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 automobile – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People think we live these simple, showbiz, glamorous lives and it’s not like that.

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

‘I was basically looking in my wallet going, I have actually simply been fired from another task. I have actually got 4 lessons tomorrow; I already can’t pay for two 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 have to provide you the cash on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually cashed in on their joint weight reduction in the last few years, establishing a physical fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his wife Ola following fit two 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 capitalized their joint weight reduction over the last few years, establishing a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe.

The pair offered their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have since 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 recently had ₤ 774,023 in possessions and ₤ 465,002 after expenses.

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC