How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have actually Ended up In Debt

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

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

However, while it has been presumed that Strictly specialists need to make a pretty penny, and years of success, through their time on the program, for a lot of it’s a wholly different story.

Pros who have bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor recently have shared their struggles with stacking financial obligations and money issues, with some even dealing with the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the most recent stars to be struck by the infamous ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the extreme financial difficulties they had just recently experienced are believed 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 wound up in financial obligation – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial problems are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (imagined on the program in 2013)

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

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

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

Giving proof throughout the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, confessed he had actually bungled the handling of their vehicle insurance policy and informed how he was ‘battling to save his relationship and home’.

A pal of the couple informed the Mail he stated: ‘The past 6 months have been hell for them and it has torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their household, they have actually selected to go forward as separate individuals.

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

The couple were entrusted to crippling debts after they ploughed 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 fight not to lose everything – to lose my cars and my house and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared fears that they could lose their home after being hit by money problems, with Ben laying bare their financial woes in court (pictured in 2021)

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

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

‘I’ve got credit cards that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got a company debt because 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 and terminated on April 28, 2023.

Records also reveal that a food services company called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was efficiently ₤ 6,633 in the red, taking into consideration 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 overdue.

Another business called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is also 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 filing accounts.

A fourth company 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 fifth business 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 nearly 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ first rose to popularity as an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show simply months before the Covid pandemic (pictured with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has because clarify the money troubles some Strictly stars can deal with, and shared that he was plunged into debt when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

AJ first rose to fame as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had previously wanted to kickstart a new era of dance success by leaving the show, the pandemic required him to cancel his organized dance trip, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into financial obligation.

Speaking to MailOnline, AJ clarified the cash concerns 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 cut short. We paid all of our dancers due to the fact that, personally, I felt like that was the right thing to do. We wound up with a barrel bill which came out of our own pocket.

‘We didn’t earn money, myself or Curtis, however we paid all of our . It’s a hard 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 appreciate the financial obligation 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 buddies believe he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, nevertheless, he described that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he earns is nowhere near that.

The dancer stated: ‘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 minimal company, that’s not even close.

‘I believe openness is a positive thing in this day and age, but the majority of individuals do not actually want to talk about their finances.

‘And I think individuals are interested by cash. People like to see numbers and like to see good things, and a great deal of times you need to live within your own methods.’

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

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

AJ became very open about how sometimes the TV reservations and photoshoots can suddenly stop and stars have to find out how to ‘adjust’ their career.

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

He continued: ‘It’s actually difficult I think in our market, the home entertainment market and a lot of other industries today because a lot of individuals are being laid off. It does play on your psychological health if you don’t have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested cash, from my really first pay check on Strictly I have actually always had that money invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work 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 always jobs out there. It’s just sometimes having to change what it is you think you are going to do and adjust a bit. Adapting is difficult however you do have to adapt sometimes.

‘It is necessary that individuals enter into these big shows 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 cost of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no different and is routinely snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s seen the significant boost in daily products.

He described: ‘Each and every single day I’m brought back to truth. I pulled up at the gas pump today and the diesel was 10p more costly due to decisions that have been made much higher up than my paycheck. That’s the real world.

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

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

Robin Windsor

Despite drawing in an impressive ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately passed away with just ₤ 879 in his business’s service account

Despite pulling in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically passed away with simply ₤ 879 in his company’s organization 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 firm had not traded for a long time and according to Companies House Records was dealing with an ‘active proposition’ to be struck off.

The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed nearly ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, but owed lenders ₤ 15,000, meaning 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 actually transported incomes from a ‘wide variety of contracts to offer carrying out arts services within the media market’, documents said.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been dealing with a Fred Olsen Cruise – alongside fellow Strictly professional 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 during his time on Strictly which concerned 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 revealed his company had not traded for a long time (pictured on the show in 2013)

He likewise recalled one time he earned ‘silly cash’, telling This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were when paid ₤ 10,000 each to remain in a luxury 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 monetary life was 2010, ‘my first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He stated: ‘All of an abrupt, I was making money I had just dreamt about. I most likely made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not just from Strictly but from work off the back of the show such as the tour and personal performances.

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

Speaking about 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 ‘consistent decline’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

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

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

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

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

‘My intense passion and decision to win might have affected my training regime.

‘While respecting the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s only best for the sake of the show that I step away. I am distressed that I wasn’t allowed to offer a quote to the online newspaper article, and I take on board the level of sensitivity of the scenario.

‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to talk about at this time, however I am dedicated to being strong for my friends and family. I want the Strictly family absolutely nothing however success in the future.’

Following his departure from the show, 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 ‘expert dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have actually capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For numerous fans, Oti is considered one of 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 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 thought about one of 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 salary before she left the show in 2022, and given that her exit has actually collected a huge fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Ever since, 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 signing up with the Strictly lineup, Oti likewise worked as an expert 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 spouse Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has actually listed possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

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

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of properties in 4 private companies, which they co-own. including the home company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in properties since last year.

And Oti has only contributed to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Celeb 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 cashed in with a string of phase functions

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, revealing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his cars and truck while trying to start his performing profession

Since leaving Strictly in 2020, Kevin Clifton has required to the stage, performing in Strictly Ballroom, Rock of Ages and War of the Worlds.

His company Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its most current possessions with ₤ 42,234 remaining after expenses.

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, exposing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his vehicle while attempting to kickstart his performing career, while juggling it with an office job.

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

‘I invested 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 task after task – typical workplace tasks, simply trying to sustain my dancer profession.

‘I was generally searching in my wallet going, I’ve just been fired from another task. I have actually got four lessons tomorrow; I already can’t spend for 2 of them.

‘I’m going to need to blag it with the instructor and say,” Oh, there’s been a problem at the bank. I’m going to need to give you the money on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually cashed in on their joint weight reduction recently, setting up a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his wife Ola following fit 2 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 recently, setting up a physical fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe.

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

Much of their earnings is funnelled through their company James and Ola Dance Academy which most recently had ₤ 774,023 in possessions 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