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 making a large fortune.

Whether it be the determined hours of training, or being an on-screen component for weeks on end, the program’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 experts should earn a pretty penny, and years of success, through their time on the show, for the majority of it’s a wholly different story.

Pros who have bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor in the last few years have shared their battles with piling debts and cash problems, with some even dealing with the possibility 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 extreme financial problems they had recently experienced are believed to have actually been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ paychecks to expose the fact about how for many, the cash stops as quickly as the ballroom lights go dark …

Kristina Rihanoff

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

Kristina formerly appeared on Strictly as an expert from 2008 to 2015, making headlines when she started a romance with her celeb partner Ben Cohen.

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

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

Giving proof during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, confessed he had actually mishandled the handling of their automobile insurance policy and told how he was ‘fighting to save his relationship and home’.

A good friend of the couple informed 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 actually selected to go forward as separate individuals.

‘Those near to them who know them as a couple had hoped they would have the ability to work things out however for now it’s over and it appears 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 told the court: ‘I get up every day and I battle not to lose everything – 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 cash woes, with Ben laying bare their financial concerns in court (pictured in 2021)

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

‘We stay in business together so the issue is that we opened business 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 charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got a business debt due to the fact that of Covid. It’s just another issue.’

The business was noted to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, however the action was suspended 9 days later and discontinued on April 28, 2023.

Records likewise expose 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, taking into consideration future liabilities, in its last represent the period ending on July 31, 2020.

The business’s accounts for the year ending in July 2021 have actually still not been filed and are now nearly 29 months past due.

Another company called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is likewise 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 fourth company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by 3 other individuals was also incorporated and willingly struck off on the same dates.

A 5th company called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 at a loss, considering future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are also nearly 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ first increased to popularity as a candidate on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic (pictured with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has considering that clarify the cash woes some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

AJ initially rose to popularity as an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had actually previously hoped to kickstart a new era of dance success by leaving the show, the pandemic forced him to cancel his organized dance trip, plunging himself and bro Curtis into debt.

Speaking with MailOnline, AJ shed light on the cash troubles some Strictly stars can deal with after leaving the program.

He said: ‘We had a business where we were running our own trip and the tour was cut brief. We paid all of our dancers since, personally, I seemed like that was the best thing to do. We ended up with a barrel bill 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, but that’s what it is when you are running your own business.

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

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his friends believe he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, however, he described that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he earns is nowhere near that.

The dancer stated: ‘I think a great deal of individuals anticipate 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 limited company, that’s not even close.

‘I believe openness is a positive thing in this day and age, however many individuals don’t actually desire to speak about their finances.

‘And I think people are interested by cash. People love to see numbers and like 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 tossed into a variety of big money deals and AJ says some individuals have no concept how to handle that type of amount of cash.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘want to make a difference’ and have actually established ‘utilizing our own money’ a financial investment firm called FINT to help to ‘inform’ individuals.

AJ ended up being really open about how sometimes the TV bookings and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars have to discover how to ‘adapt’ their career.

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 earns is nowhere near that

He continued: ‘It’s really difficult I think in our industry, the show business and a lot of other industries today since a great deal of people are being laid off. It does play on your psychological health if you don’t have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested money, from my really first pay check on Strictly I’ve always had that cash invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work in six 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 tasks out there. It’s simply in some cases having to change what it is you believe you are going to do and adjust a bit. Adapting is hard but you do have to adapt sometimes.

‘It’s crucial that people go into these big programs that they’re delighting in 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 admitted he is no different and is regularly snapped back into the ‘real world’ as he’s noticed the remarkable increase in everyday products.

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

‘I was like, ‘What 10p more costly from yesterday to today’, like that’s insane. I think individuals forget, the cost of living and inflation’s increased.

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

Robin Windsor

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

Despite drawing in an impressive ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically passed away 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 exposed his company had not traded for a long time and according to Companies House Records was facing an ‘active proposition’ to be struck off.

The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed nearly ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, but owed financial institutions ₤ 15,000, implying it was ₤ 8,350 in the red.

At the height of his celeb in 2015 and 2016 he held more than ₤ 23,000 in the business and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the business, which was repaid.

The company had carried revenues from a ‘wide range of contracts to provide carrying out arts services within the media market’, paperwork stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had actually been dealing with 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 formerly informed how he was paid ₤ 100,000 a year throughout 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 exposed his company had not traded for some time (visualized on the program in 2013)

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

He kept in mind 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 only dreamt about. I probably 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 efficiencies.

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

Speaking about 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 ‘stable decline’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

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

Following his departure from the program, 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 among Strictly fans, however last year he was dramatically sacked by managers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

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

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

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

‘My intense enthusiasm and decision to win might have impacted my training routine.

‘While appreciating 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 allowed to provide a quote to the online newspaper article, and I take on board the level of sensitivity of the circumstance.

‘There’s more to this story that I am not able to talk about at this time, however I am committed 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 attempted to cash on his appearances on the show, with personalised video messages on Cameo.

The dancer charged $100 (₤ 78) for a video message, and continued to describe himself as a ‘expert dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have actually capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For lots of fans, Oti is thought about among Strictly’s most effective 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 made a reported ₤ 200,000 charge for her stint on I’m A Celebrity 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 champ for two years in a row, in 2019 and 2020.

The dancer was reported to be on a ₤ 410,000 salary before she left the show in 2022, and since her exit has actually accumulated a huge fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Since then, she has looked like 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 joining 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 partner Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has noted possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its most recent accounts.

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

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of properties in four personal companies, which they co-own. including the residential or commercial property firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in assets since last year.

And Oti has just included to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Star 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 show in 2020, has cashed in with a string of stage functions

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t always been simple, exposing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his vehicle while trying to kickstart his performing profession

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

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

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t always been easy, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his car while attempting to start his performing career, while juggling it with a workplace task.

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

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

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

‘I was essentially searching in my wallet going, I have actually just been fired from another job. I’ve got four lessons tomorrow; I currently can’t pay for two of them.

‘I’m going to have to blag it with the instructor and say,” 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 cashed in on their joint weight loss in the last few years, setting up a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe

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

James has actually 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 capitalized their joint weight-loss in current years, setting up a physical fitness site 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 downsized to a home more ‘appropriate’ for their daughter Ella.

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

They earn extra cash by offering signed photos for ₤ 9.50 while Ola provides dance lessons to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC