How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Ended up In Debt

For audiences tuning into BBC’s megahit Strictly Come Dancing, they would be best in assuming that its stars must be earning a significant fortune.

Whether it be the steadfast hours of training, or being an on-screen fixture for weeks on end, the show’s professional dancers have actually assisted make the series a fascinating watch throughout the fall months.

However, while it has actually been assumed that Strictly specialists must earn a pretty penny, and years of success, through their time on the program, for the majority of it’s a wholly different story.

Pros who have bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor in the last few years have shared their struggles with stacking debts and money woes, with some even dealing with the possibility of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the current 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 difficulties they had actually just recently experienced are believed to have been behind their split.

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

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly’s popular dancers have ended up in debt – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial difficulties are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (envisioned on the program in 2013)

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

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

The degree of the couple’s battles were laid bare in unusual scenarios – throughout a court look last September when Kristina, 47, was captured driving without insurance.

Giving proof during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, confessed he had actually bungled the handling of their cars and truck insurance plan and informed how he was ‘combating to save his relationship and home’.

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

‘Those close to them who know them as a couple had actually 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 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 fight 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 could lose their home after being struck by cash woes, with Ben laying bare their financial troubles in court (imagined in 2021)

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

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

‘I have actually got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have got a service financial obligation since of Covid. It’s simply another problem.’

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

Records likewise reveal that a food services company called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 percent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was effectively ₤ 6,633 in the red, taking into account 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 overdue.

Another company called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is likewise owned by the Soo Yoga Group, was set up 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 3 other people was likewise incorporated and willingly struck off on the very same dates.

A 5th 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 increased to fame as a candidate on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply months before the Covid pandemic (pictured with Saffron Barker in 2019)

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

AJ first rose to fame as a candidate 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 brand-new era of dance success by departing the program, the pandemic forced him to cancel his scheduled dance tour, plunging himself and brother Curtis into financial obligation.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ shed light on the cash concerns some Strictly stars can face after leaving the program.

He said: ‘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 right thing to do. We wound up with a barrel costs which came out of our own pocket.

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

‘They definitely did value it. I maybe didn’t value the debt that I was left in but, 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, nevertheless, he explained that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he earns is nowhere near that.

The dancer said: ‘I believe a great deal of individuals expect 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 business, that’s not even close.

‘I think transparency is a positive thing in this day and age, however the majority of people don’t actually wish to speak about their financial resources.

‘And I think individuals are captivated by money. People enjoy to see numbers and love to see good things, and a great deal of times you need to live within your own means.’

After leaving shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a number of huge money deals and AJ states some individuals have no idea how to handle that sort of amount of cash.

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

AJ ended up being very open about how sometimes the TV bookings and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars have to discover 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 makes is no place near that

He continued: ‘It’s truly tough I believe in our market, the show business and a great deal of other industries right now because a lot of individuals are being laid off. It does use your psychological health if you don’t have that next task.

‘Myself and Curtis have actually invested cash, from my really first salary on Strictly I have actually always had actually that cash invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work in six 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 needing to change what it is you believe you are going to do and adjust a little bit. Adapting is hard however you do have to adapt in some cases.

‘It is essential that individuals enter into these huge 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 facing the cost of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no different and is routinely snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s seen the dramatic boost in everyday items.

He explained: ‘Every single day I’m reminded truth. I brought up at the fuel pump today and the diesel was 10p more expensive due to choices that have been made much greater up than my paycheck. That’s the real world.

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

‘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 great deal of people this year and I don’t believe it’s going to get any easier.’

Robin Windsor

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

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

The dancer was found dead in a London hotel in February in 2015, 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 proposal’ to be struck off.

The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed nearly ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, however owed creditors ₤ 15,000, indicating 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 company, which was paid back.

The company had directed revenues from a ‘wide array of agreements to provide carrying out arts services within the media market’, documents stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been dealing with a Fred Olsen Cruise – together with fellow Strictly professional Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and posted pictures of himself when the boat docked in South Africa.

Robin previously 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 exposed his firm had actually not traded for a long time (envisioned on the show in 2013)

He also recalled one time he earned ‘silly 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 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 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 private performances.

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

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

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was dramatically sacked by managers in 2015 following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was once considered a favourite amongst Strictly fans, however in 2015 he was significantly sacked by managers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later verified and regretted his actions against Zara.

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

Strictly Come Dancing rich list: The expert dancers waltzing all the way to the bank after making MILLIONS thanks to the show

‘My extreme enthusiasm and decision to win might have impacted my training program.

‘While appreciating the BBC HR procedure, 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 circumstance.

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

Following his departure from the show, Graziano attempted to cash on his looks on the show, with customised 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 cashed in on their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For numerous fans, Oti is thought about one of Strictly’s most effective exports, with the dancer crowned series champ for 2 years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

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

For numerous fans, Oti is considered among Strictly’s most successful exports, with the dancer crowned series champion 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 given that her exit has generated a substantial fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

Ever since, she has actually appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was likewise 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 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 husband Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has noted possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti also signed a big-money deal to work together with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence increasing’ underwear variety, and she and other half Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London mansion.

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

And Oti has actually only added 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 fee.

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champion in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the show in 2020, has moneyed in with a string of phase functions

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t always been simple, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his car while attempting to kickstart his carrying out 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 stated ₤ 104,993 in its latest assets with ₤ 42,234 staying after costs.

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his car while attempting to kickstart his performing career, while handling it with a workplace task.

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

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

‘There’s been times where I was simply getting fired from task after task – regular workplace 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 currently can’t pay for two 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 have to give you the cash on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually capitalized their joint weight loss recently, setting up a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his partner Ola following fit two years lateer.

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

The couple have actually cashed in on their joint weight loss over the last few years, setting up a fitness website 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 actually considering that downsized to a home more ‘suitable’ for their daughter Ella.

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC