How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Ended up In Debt

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

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

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

Pros who have bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor in the last few years have shared their battles with stacking debts and money troubles, with some even dealing with the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the most current stars to be struck by the notorious ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the severe financial troubles they had just recently experienced are believed to have lagged their split.

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ incomes to expose the reality about how for many, the money stops as soon as the ballroom lights go dark …

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly’s popular dancers have ended up in financial obligation – as Kristina Rihanoff’s monetary problems are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (visualized on the show in 2013)

Kristina formerly appeared on Strictly as a professional from 2008 to 2015, making headings when she began a love with her star partner Ben Cohen.

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

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

Giving evidence throughout the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, confessed he had made a mess of the handling of their cars and truck insurance coverage and informed how he was ‘battling to conserve his relationship and home’.

A buddy 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 chosen to move forward as different people.

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

The couple were entrusted crippling financial obligations after they tilled every cent 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 automobiles and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

Last year the couple shared fears that they might lose their home after being hit by money woes, with Ben laying bare their monetary concerns in court (imagined in 2021)

When questioned about the strains 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 issue is that we opened the business before Covid and we got the worst severities of it and in all honestly this is simply another issue for me to deal with.

‘I have actually got credit cards that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got a business 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 nine days later on and stopped 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 effectively ₤ 6,633 at a loss, considering future liabilities, in its last accounts for the duration ending on July 31, 2020.

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

Another business 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 company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by 3 other individuals was likewise included and voluntarily struck off on the very same dates.

A fifth called Yoga Wellbeing which is 100 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 fame as an entrant 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 considering that shed light on the cash woes some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into debt when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

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

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

Talking to MailOnline, AJ shed light on the cash problems some Strictly stars can deal with after leaving the show.

He stated: ‘We had a company where we were running our own trip and the tour was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers due to the fact that, personally, I seemed like that was the right thing to do. We wound up with a barrel bill which came out of our own pocket.

‘We didn’t get paid, myself or Curtis, however we paid all of our dancers. It’s a hard choice to be made, however that’s what it is when you are running your own company.

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

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his good friends believe he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, however, he discussed that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he makes is nowhere 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 have actually paid your tax and your VAT, and if you’re a minimal business, that’s not even close.

‘I believe transparency is a positive thing in this day and age, however most people don’t really desire to discuss their financial resources.

‘And I think individuals are interested by money. People like to see numbers and enjoy to see good things, and a lot of times you require to live within your own means.’

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a number of big money offers 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 ‘want to make a distinction’ and have established ‘using our own cash’ a financial investment firm called FINT to assist to ‘inform’ people.

AJ ended up being really open about how often the TV reservations and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars need to find out how to ‘adjust’ their profession.

AJ stated it is hard when a great deal 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 no place near that

He continued: ‘It’s really difficult I think in our industry, the entertainment industry and a lot of other markets right now since a lot of individuals are being laid off. It does use your mental 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 different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work in six 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 constantly jobs out there. It’s simply often having to change what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a bit. Adapting is difficult but you do need to adapt often.

‘It is essential that individuals enter into these huge programs that they’re delighting in 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, individuals are dealing with the expense of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no various and is routinely snapped back into the ‘real world’ as he’s observed the remarkable boost in everyday items.

He discussed: ‘Every single day I’m reminded reality. I pulled up at the gas pump today and the diesel was 10p more pricey due to choices that have been made much greater 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 gone up.

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

Robin Windsor

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

Despite pulling in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately died with just ₤ 879 in his business’s organization 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 some time and according to Companies House Records was dealing with an ‘active proposal’ to be struck off.

The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed almost ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, but owed financial institutions ₤ 15,000, meaning 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 company and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the business, which was repaid.

The business had funnelled earnings from a ‘wide range of contracts to supply carrying out arts services within the media market’, paperwork stated.

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

Robin formerly told 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 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 some time (pictured on the show in 2013)

He also remembered one time he earned ‘silly cash’, informing This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were as soon as paid ₤ 10,000 each to stay 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 monetary life was 2010, ‘my first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He stated: ‘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 program such as the trip and private efficiencies.

‘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 permitted to return that he couldn’t bear to watch it, and he went into a ‘steady decline’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was drastically sacked by bosses in 2015 following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was as soon as considered a favourite among Strictly fans, however last year he was significantly sacked by managers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later confirmed and regretted his actions against Zara.

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

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

‘My intense passion 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 show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t allowed to offer a quote to the online newspaper article, 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 devoted to being strong for my friends and family. I want the Strictly family absolutely nothing however success in the future.’

Following his departure from the program, Graziano attempted to cash on his looks 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 ‘expert 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 effective 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 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 thought about among 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 because her exit has actually accumulated a big fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

Ever since, she has actually appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was likewise a panellist on The Masked Dancer, and BBC’s The best Dancer, contributing 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 set up with her husband Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has listed assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money offer to collaborate with Bravissimo on a ‘self-confidence increasing’ underwear variety, and she and hubby Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of properties in 4 private companies, which they co-own. including the property company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in properties since in 2015.

And Oti has actually just contributed to her fortune in recent 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 champion in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the program in 2020, has moneyed in with a string of stage functions

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, revealing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his cars and truck while trying to kickstart his performing career

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

His firm Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its newest assets with ₤ 42,234 remaining after expenses.

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his car while trying to kickstart his performing profession, while juggling it with an office task.

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

‘I invested loads of time sleeping in my automobile – generally 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 just getting fired from job after job – typical workplace jobs, just trying to sustain my dancer profession.

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

‘I’m going to have to blag it with the teacher and say,” Oh, there’s been an issue at the bank. I’m going to have to offer you the cash on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan

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

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

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

The couple have actually capitalized their joint weight-loss over the last few years, establishing a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe.

The set sold their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have actually since scaled down to a home more ‘suitable’ for their child Ella.

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC