How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Ended up In Debt

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

Whether it be the tireless hours of training, or being an on-screen component for weeks on end, the show’s expert dancers have helped make the series a captivating watch throughout the autumn months.

However, while it has been presumed that Strictly specialists must earn a quite cent, and years of success, through their time on the show, for a lot of it’s a completely various story.

Pros who have bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor over the last few years have actually shared their battles with piling financial obligations and money issues, with some even dealing with the possibility of losing their homes.

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

MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly stars’ incomes to reveal 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 ended up in financial obligation – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial difficulties are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (imagined on the program in 2013)

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

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

The degree of the couple’s battles were laid bare in uncommon situations – throughout 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 actually bungled the handling of their cars and truck insurance coverage policy and told how he was ‘fighting to conserve his relationship and home’.

A good friend of the couple told the Mail he stated: ‘The previous six months have actually been hell for them and it has torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their household, they have chosen to go forward as separate people.

‘Those near 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 debilitating debts 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 informed the court: ‘I get up every day and I combat not to lose everything – to lose my vehicles and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being struck by cash troubles, with Ben laying bare their monetary concerns in court (visualized in 2021)

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

‘We stay in business together so the problem is that we opened business before Covid and we got the worst intensities of it and in all truthfully this is just another issue for me to handle.

‘I’ve got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have got a company debt due to the fact that of Covid. It’s just another problem.’

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

Records also expose that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was successfully ₤ 6,633 at a loss, considering future liabilities, in its last accounts for the duration 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 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 submitting accounts.

A 4th business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by 3 other individuals was likewise included and willingly struck off on the same dates.

A 5th business called Yoga Wellbeing which is 100 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 nearly 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

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 (imagined with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has since shed light on the cash issues some Strictly stars can deal with, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

AJ initially 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 actually previously hoped to kickstart a new age of dance success by departing the show, the pandemic required him to cancel his organized dance tour, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into debt.

Speaking 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 tour and the tour was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers because, 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, however that’s what it is when you are running your own business.

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

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

The dancer said: ‘I believe a great deal of people anticipate you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and immediately be a millionaire. Once you’ve 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, but the majority of people don’t truly desire to speak about their finances.

‘And I think people are captivated by cash. People love to see numbers and love to see great things, and a lot of times you need to live within your own methods.’

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a number of big cash deals and AJ states some people have no concept how to manage that kind of amount of cash.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a distinction’ and have set up ‘using our own money’ a monetary investment firm called FINT to assist to ‘inform’ individuals.

AJ ended up being really open about how often the TV reservations and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars have to find out how to ‘adjust’ their profession.

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his pals think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, as after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he makes is no place near that

He continued: ‘It’s actually tough I believe in our industry, the entertainment industry and a lot of other industries right now since a great deal of individuals are being laid off. It does play on your mental health if you do not have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have actually invested money, from my really first wage on Strictly I’ve constantly had that cash invested into different . Therefore, if I didn’t have a job in 6 months time, I do have money there that I can draw on if I require it.

‘And at the end of the day, there are constantly tasks out there. It’s just in some cases having to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a little bit. Adapting is tough but you do need to adjust often.

‘It is very important that individuals enter into these big programs that they’re taking pleasure in but they have an occupation 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 cost of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no various and is routinely snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s observed the remarkable increase in daily products.

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

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

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

Robin Windsor

Despite pulling in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically died with just ₤ 879 in his business’s service account

Despite drawing in an impressive ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately passed away with just ₤ 879 in his company’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 revealed his firm had actually not traded for a long 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 nearly ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, however owed financial institutions ₤ 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 directed earnings from a ‘wide range of contracts to supply performing arts services within the media industry’, documentation said.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been working on 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 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 a long time (imagined on the show in 2013)

He also recalled one time he made ‘silly cash’, telling 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 event. 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: ‘All of a sudden, I was making money I had actually just dreamt about. I probably made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not simply from Strictly but from work off the back of the show such as the tour and private performances.

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

Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin said he became so ‘bitter’ about not being permitted to return that he could not bear to watch it, and he went into a ‘consistent decline’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was dramatically sacked by employers in 2015 following claims of gross misconduct towards his former celebrity 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 thought about a favourite amongst Strictly fans, but last year he was drastically sacked by managers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott.

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

Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘ravaged’ Di Prima wrote on Instagram: ‘I deeply are sorry for 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 extreme passion and decision to win may have affected my training program.

‘While respecting the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s just right for the sake of the program that I step away. I am distressed that I wasn’t permitted 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, however I am dedicated to being strong for my friends and family. I want the Strictly family nothing however success in the future.’

Following his departure from the program, Graziano tried to cash on his looks on the program, with customised video messages on Cameo.

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

And the stars who have actually 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 2 years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

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

For lots of 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.

The dancer was reported to be on a ₤ 410,000 wage before she left the program in 2022, and considering that her exit has generated a substantial fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Since then, she has actually appeared as 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 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 established with her partner Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has actually noted properties of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money offer to collaborate with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence improving’ underwear range, and she and partner Marius likewise share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of possessions in four private companies, which they co-own. consisting of the residential or commercial property firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in possessions since in 2015.

And Oti has just contributed to her fortune in current months by appearing on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! where she was apparently paid a ₤ 200,000 charge.

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champion in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the program in 2020, has actually 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 sleep in his car while trying to start his performing profession

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 most current properties with ₤ 42,234 remaining after expenses.

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t always been simple, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his automobile while attempting to start his carrying out profession, while juggling it with a workplace task.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he said: ‘If there’s nobody there, I’ll sleep in my car and then I can afford 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I spent loads of time oversleeping my automobile – basically living out of my car – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People think we live these easy, showbiz, glamorous lives and it’s not like that.

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

‘I was essentially searching in my wallet going, I’ve just been fired from another task. I’ve got four lessons tomorrow; I already can’t pay 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 need to offer you the money on my next lesson. » James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have capitalized their joint weight reduction in recent years, setting up a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe

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

James has actually 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 loss recently, setting up a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe.

The pair sold their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have considering that downsized to a home more ‘ideal’ 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 properties and ₤ 465,002 after bills.

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC