How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Wound Up In Debt

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

Whether it be the determined 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 autumn months.

However, while it has been presumed that Strictly experts must earn a quite penny, and years of success, through their time on the show, for many it’s an entirely various story.

Pros who have bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor recently have actually shared their battles with stacking debts and money troubles, 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 love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the serious monetary problems they had actually recently experienced are believed to have been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ incomes 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 financial obligation – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial troubles are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (imagined on the show in 2013)

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

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

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

Giving evidence during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, admitted he had mishandled the handling of their automobile insurance coverage and informed how he was ‘battling to conserve his relationship and home’.

A pal of the couple told the Mail he said: ‘The past 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 picked to move forward as different people.

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

The couple were entrusted to debilitating debts 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 combat not to lose everything – to lose my cars and trucks and my house and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared fears that they might lose their home after being struck by money troubles, with Ben laying bare their financial concerns in court (pictured in 2021)

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

‘We stay in business together so the problem is that we opened the organization before Covid and we got the worst severities of it and in all honestly this is just another problem for me to deal with.

‘I’ve got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got a company financial obligation since 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 9 days later on and terminated on April 28, 2023.

Records likewise expose that a food services company called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 percent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was efficiently ₤ 6,633 at a loss, considering future liabilities, in its last represent the duration ending on July 31, 2020.

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

Another business 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 submitting accounts.

A fourth business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other individuals was also integrated and willingly 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, taking into account future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are likewise almost 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ initially increased to popularity as a candidate on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show simply months before the Covid pandemic (visualized with Saffron Barker in 2019)

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

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

While the star had formerly intended to start a brand-new age of dance success by departing the program, the pandemic required him to cancel his scheduled dance trip, plunging himself and bro Curtis into financial obligation.

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

He said: ‘We had a company where we were running our own trip and the tour was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers since, 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 earn money, 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 certainly did appreciate it. I perhaps didn’t value the debt that I was left in but, hey, it’s a choice that was made.’

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his pals think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, nevertheless, he described that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he makes is nowhere near that.

The dancer stated: ‘I believe a lot 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 business, that’s not even close.

‘I believe transparency is a favorable thing in this day and age, however the majority of people don’t truly wish to speak about their finances.

‘And I believe people are captivated by cash. People like to see numbers and like to see great things, and a great deal of times you need 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 deals and AJ states some individuals have no idea how to deal with that sort of sum of money.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘desire to make a difference’ and have established ‘utilizing our own money’ a firm called FINT to assist to ‘educate’ individuals.

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

AJ said 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 really tough I think in our market, the show business and a lot of other markets today because 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 actually invested cash, 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 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 tasks out there. It’s just in some cases needing to change what it is you believe you are going to do and adjust a bit. Adapting is difficult but you do need to adjust often.

‘It is necessary that individuals enter into these huge shows that they’re delighting in but 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 confessed he is no different and is regularly snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s seen the dramatic increase in everyday products.

He discussed: ‘Every single day I’m reminded reality. I pulled up at the fuel pump today and the diesel was 10p more costly due to decisions that have actually been made much greater up than my income. That’s the real world.

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

‘Even when inflation boils down, it doesn’t mean that it goes back to what it was. Life is going to be difficult for a great deal of individuals this year and I don’t think it’s going to get any much easier.’

Robin Windsor

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

Despite pulling in an outstanding ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately died with simply ₤ 879 in his company’s business 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 actually 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 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 company and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the business, which was repaid.

The company had actually channelled earnings from a ‘wide array of agreements to provide performing arts services within the media market’, documentation stated.

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

Robin previously informed 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 found dead in a London hotel in February, and in the wake of his passing it was exposed his firm had not traded for some time (pictured on the show in 2013)

He also recalled one time he earned ‘ridiculous money’, telling This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were as soon as paid ₤ 10,000 each to remain in a luxury resort in Mauritius for a week and dance the cha-cha-cha at an event. Our dance lasted 2 minutes.’

He remembered 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 generating income I had actually only dreamt about. I most likely made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not just 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, everyone wants a little slice of you.’

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin said he became so ‘bitter’ about not being allowed to return that he could not bear to enjoy it, and he entered into a ‘steady decrease’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was dramatically sacked by employers last year following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous 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 once thought about a preferred amongst Strictly fans, but last year he was significantly sacked by bosses following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

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

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

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

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

‘While respecting the BBC HR process, 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 use 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 unable to discuss at this time, however I am devoted to being strong for my friends and family. I wish the Strictly family absolutely nothing however success in the future.’

Following his departure from the show, Graziano tried 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 capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For numerous 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

Since then, she has actually looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and also made a reported ₤ 200,000 fee for her stint on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For numerous fans, Oti is considered among Strictly’s most effective 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 wage before she left the show in 2022, and because her exit has collected a substantial fortune with a string of successful 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, 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 listed as a director of Pure Mabuse Limited, which she set up with her hubby Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has actually listed assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money offer to work together with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence increasing’ underwear range, 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. including the property firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in properties since last year.

And Oti has actually only contributed to her fortune in recent 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 stage functions

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his vehicle while attempting to kickstart his performing career

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

His firm Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its newest properties with ₤ 42,234 staying after costs.

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his automobile while attempting to kickstart his carrying out profession, while juggling it with an office task.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he said: ‘If there’s nobody there, I’ll oversleep my automobile and then I can pay for two of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I spent loads of time oversleeping my car – generally 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 simply getting fired from job after task – regular office tasks, just attempting to sustain my dancer profession.

‘I was essentially searching in my wallet going, I’ve simply been fired from another task. I’ve 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 a problem at the bank. I’m going to have to give you the cash on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have cashed in on their joint weight-loss recently, establishing a physical fitness website 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 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 cashed in on their joint weight reduction recently, establishing a physical fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe.

The pair offered their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have because scaled down to a home more ‘ideal’ for their daughter Ella.

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC