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 must be making a substantial 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 been assumed that Strictly specialists must earn a quite cent, and years of success, through their time on the show, for the majority of it’s an entirely different story.

Pros who have bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor recently have shared their struggles with piling debts and money issues, with some even facing the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the most recent stars to be hit by the notorious ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the extreme monetary problems they had actually just recently experienced are thought to have been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ incomes to reveal 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 actually wound up in financial obligation – as Kristina Rihanoff’s monetary troubles are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (envisioned on the program in 2013)

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

However, in 2015, the couple shared fears that they could lose their home after being hit by cash issues, with Ben laying bare their financial concerns in court.

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

Giving proof throughout the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, admitted he had actually made a mess of the handling of their vehicle insurance plan and informed how he was ‘combating to conserve his relationship and home’.

A good friend of the couple informed the Mail he stated: ‘The past 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 go forward as different individuals.

‘Those close 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 entrusted 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 told the court: ‘I get up every day and I fight not to lose whatever – to lose my vehicles and my house and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared that they might lose their home after being hit by money concerns, with Ben laying bare their monetary problems in court (imagined in 2021)

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

‘We stay in business together so the issue is that we opened the company before Covid and we got the worst seriousness of it and in all honestly 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 got a service debt due to the fact that of Covid. It’s just another issue.’

The company 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 also expose that a food services company called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was effectively ₤ 6,633 at a loss, taking into consideration 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 actually still not been filed and are now nearly 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 4th company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by 3 other individuals was also incorporated and voluntarily struck off on the exact same dates.

A fifth business 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 also almost 29 months past due, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ initially rose to fame as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show just months before the Covid pandemic (imagined with Saffron Barker in 2019)

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

AJ first increased to fame as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had formerly wished to start a new period of dance success by leaving the show, the pandemic forced him to cancel his scheduled dance trip, plunging himself and bro Curtis into debt.

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

He stated: ‘We had a company where we were running our own tour and the tour was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers due to the fact that, personally, I felt like that was the best thing to do. We ended up with a VAT expense which came out of our own pocket.

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

‘They certainly did value it. I perhaps didn’t appreciate the debt that I was left in however, hello, it’s a choice that was made.’

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his 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 quickly be a millionaire. Once you have actually paid your tax and your VAT, and if you’re a restricted business, that’s not even close.

‘I think transparency is a positive thing in this day and age, but the majority of people do not actually wish to speak about their finances.

‘And I believe individuals are fascinated by cash. People like to see numbers and like to see nice things, and a great deal of times you require to live within your own methods.’

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a variety of huge cash offers and AJ says some people have no concept how to handle that type of sum of money.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a difference’ and have established ‘utilizing our own cash’ a financial investment business called FINT to assist to ‘educate’ individuals.

AJ became extremely open about how in some cases the TV reservations and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars have to find out how to ‘adjust’ their career.

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

‘Myself and Curtis have invested cash, from my very first pay check on Strictly I have actually constantly had that money invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a job 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 always jobs out there. It’s just in some cases having to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adjust a little bit. Adapting is tough but you do need to adjust in some cases.

‘It is very important that individuals go into these big programs that they’re enjoying but 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, people are dealing with the expense of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no different and is regularly snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s discovered the dramatic increase in everyday products.

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

‘I resembled, ‘What 10p more costly from the other day to today’, like that’s crazy. I think individuals forget, the expense of living and inflation’s increased.

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

Robin Windsor

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

Despite drawing in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately 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 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 business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed nearly ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, however owed financial institutions ₤ 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 repaid.

The company had channelled revenues from a ‘large variety of agreements to provide performing arts services within the media industry’, documentation stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had actually 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 formerly told how he was paid ₤ 100,000 a year during 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 exposed his firm had not traded for a long time (pictured on the show in 2013)

He also recalled one time he made ‘silly money’, telling This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were when 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 monetary life was 2010, ‘my very first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He said: ‘All of an abrupt, I was making money I had actually just dreamt about. I most likely made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not simply from Strictly however from work off the back of the show such as the trip and personal efficiencies.

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

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin stated he became so ‘bitter’ about not being allowed to return that he could not bear to watch it, and he went into a ‘stable decline’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

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

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

Graziano was once thought about a favourite amongst Strictly fans, but in 2015 he was considerably sacked by managers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous celeb partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later confirmed and regretted his actions against 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 professional dancers waltzing all the method to the bank after making MILLIONS thanks to the show

‘My extreme passion and determination to win may have impacted my training regime.

‘While appreciating the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s just ideal for the sake of the program that I step away. I am distressed that I wasn’t allowed to use 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 not able to talk about at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my friends and family. I want the Strictly household nothing but success in the future.’

Following his departure from the program, Graziano attempted to cash on his looks on the show, with personalised 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 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

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

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 wage before she left the program in 2022, and because her exit has actually accumulated a huge 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 Greatest Dancer, adding to a rumoured fortune of more than ₤ 1.4 million.

Before joining 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 hubby Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has noted assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its most current accounts.

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

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of possessions in 4 personal business, which they co-own. including the home company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in possessions as of last year.

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

Kevin Clifton

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

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t always been easy, exposing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his cars and truck while attempting to start 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 stated ₤ 104,993 in its latest possessions with ₤ 42,234 remaining after bills.

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 start his performing profession, 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 vehicle and after that I can afford two of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I invested loads of time oversleeping my car – basically living out of my automobile – 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 task after job – regular office jobs, just 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 2 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 need to offer you the cash on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually cashed in on their joint weight-loss recently, setting up a physical fitness website 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 two years lateer.

James has actually appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, returned a couple of 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, setting up a fitness website 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 because scaled down to a home more ‘appropriate’ 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 costs.

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC