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 presuming that its stars need to be making a substantial fortune.

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

However, while it has been assumed that Strictly specialists should earn a pretty cent, and years of success, through their time on the show, for many it’s a wholly various story.

Pros who have bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor in recent years have actually shared their struggles with stacking debts and money issues, with some even dealing with 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 romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the serious monetary troubles they had recently experienced are believed to have lagged their split.

MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly stars’ incomes to expose the truth about how for numerous, the cash stops as quickly as the ballroom lights go dark …

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly’s popular dancers have wound up in debt – as Kristina Rihanoff’s monetary difficulties 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 romance with her celeb partner Ben Cohen.

However, last year, the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being struck by money issues, with Ben laying bare their monetary concerns in court.

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

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

A friend of the couple told the Mail he said: ‘The previous 6 months have been hell for them and it has torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their family, they have picked to go forward as different individuals.

‘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 financial obligations after they ploughed 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 battle not to lose whatever – to lose my vehicles and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

Last year the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being hit by money troubles, with Ben laying bare their financial woes in court (visualized in 2021)

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

‘We’re in service together so the issue is that we opened the service before Covid and we got the worst seriousness of it and in all truthfully this is just another issue for me to deal with.

‘I have actually got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got a service debt because of Covid. It’s just another issue.’

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

Records also reveal that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was efficiently ₤ 6,633 at a loss, 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 still not been filed and are now almost 29 months overdue.

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

A fourth 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 exact same dates.

A fifth company called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 in the red, considering 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 (pictured with Saffron Barker in 2019)

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

AJ first increased 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 actually formerly wished to start a new age of dance success by departing the show, the pandemic required him to cancel his organized dance tour, plunging himself and brother Curtis into financial obligation.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ clarified the cash troubles some Strictly stars can deal with after leaving the .

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 felt like that was the right thing to do. We ended up with a VAT costs 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 choice to be made, however that’s what it is when you are running your own company.

‘They definitely did appreciate it. I possibly didn’t appreciate the debt that I was left in however, hello, it’s a decision that was made.’

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

The dancer said: ‘I think a great deal of people 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 company, that’s not even close.

‘I believe openness is a positive thing in this day and age, but the majority of people do not truly desire to discuss their finances.

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

After leaving shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a variety of big money offers and AJ says some individuals have no idea how to handle that type of amount of cash.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a difference’ and have actually set up ‘utilizing our own money’ a financial investment firm called FINT to help to ‘educate’ people.

AJ became really open about how often the TV bookings and photoshoots can suddenly stop and stars need to learn how to ‘adapt’ their career.

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his 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 difficult I believe in our industry, 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 do not have that next task.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested money, from my very first wage on Strictly I have actually constantly had that money invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work in 6 months time, I do have money there that I can make use of if I need 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 hard however you do need to adapt often.

‘It is essential that people go into these big programs that they’re enjoying however they have an occupation 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 cost of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no various and is frequently snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s observed the dramatic boost in daily products.

He explained: ‘Each and every single day I’m reminded reality. I pulled up at the fuel pump today and the diesel was 10p more costly due to choices that have been made much higher up than my income. That’s the real life.

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

‘Even when inflation boils down, it doesn’t imply that it returns to what it was. Life is going to be difficult for a lot of individuals this year and I don’t believe it’s going to get any much easier.’

Robin Windsor

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

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

The dancer was found 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 some time and according to Companies House Records was facing an ‘active proposal’ to be struck off.

The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed nearly ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, but owed lenders ₤ 15,000, implying 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 company, which was repaid.

The business had actually channelled earnings from a ‘wide variety of agreements to offer carrying out arts services within the media market’, paperwork said.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been dealing with a Fred Olsen Cruise – along with fellow Strictly professional Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and published 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 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 not traded for a long time (pictured on the program in 2013)

He also recalled one time he made ‘ridiculous money’, 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 occasion. Our dance lasted two minutes.’

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

He said: ‘Suddenly, I was making money 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 personal performances.

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

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin said he ended up being so ‘bitter’ about not being enabled to return that he could not bear to see it, and he entered into a ‘constant 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 appearances on the program, with personalised video messages on Cameo

Graziano was as soon as considered a favourite amongst Strictly fans, but last year he was dramatically sacked by managers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later on validated and regretted his actions versus Zara.

Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘ravaged’ Di Prima composed on Instagram: ‘I deeply are sorry for the events that resulted in 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 decision to win might have affected my training program.

‘While appreciating the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s only best for the sake of the program that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t allowed to provide a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation.

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

Following his departure from the show, 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 ‘professional dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For numerous fans, Oti is considered among Strictly’s most successful exports, with the dancer crowned series champ for 2 years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

Ever since, she has appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and also earned a reported ₤ 200,000 cost for her stint on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! last year

For many fans, Oti is thought about one of 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 considering that her exit has actually accumulated a huge fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

Ever since, she has looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was likewise a panellist on The Masked Dancer, and BBC’s The Greatest Dancer, adding 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 listed 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 listed 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 improving’ underwear variety, and she and hubby Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

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

And Oti has actually only contributed to her fortune in current months by appearing on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! where she was reportedly 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 moneyed in with a string of phase functions

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his car while trying to kickstart his carrying out career

Since leaving Strictly in 2020, Kevin Clifton has required 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 bills.

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, exposing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his automobile while attempting to start his carrying out profession, while handling it with a workplace job.

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

‘I invested loads of time sleeping in my vehicle – generally living out of my vehicle – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People believe we live these simple, showbiz, glamorous lives and it’s not like that.

‘There’s been times where I was simply getting fired from job after job – normal workplace jobs, just attempting to sustain my dancer profession.

‘I was generally searching in my wallet going, I’ve simply 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 instructor and state,” Oh, there’s been a problem 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 capitalized their joint weight-loss in recent years, establishing a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe

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

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

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

The set sold their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have since scaled down to a home more ‘appropriate’ for their daughter Ella.

Much of their earnings is funnelled through their company James and Ola Dance Academy which most just recently had ₤ 774,023 in possessions and ₤ 465,002 after costs.

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC