How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Wound Up In Debt

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

Whether it be the tireless hours of training, or being an on-screen fixture for weeks on end, the program’s professional dancers have helped make the series a captivating watch throughout the autumn 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 the majority of it’s an entirely different story.

Pros who have bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor over the last few years have actually shared their struggles with stacking debts and cash problems, with some even facing the possibility 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 romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the severe financial difficulties they had just recently experienced are believed to have actually lagged their split.

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

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

However, last year, the couple shared worries that they could lose their home after being hit by money troubles, with Ben laying bare their financial troubles in court.

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

Giving proof throughout the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, confessed he had actually mishandled the handling of their automobile insurance plan and informed how he was ‘fighting to conserve his relationship and home’.

A buddy of the couple told the Mail he said: ‘The past 6 months have been hell for them and it has actually torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their family, they have actually picked to move forward as different people.

‘Those close to them who understand them as a couple had hoped they would be able to work things out however 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 during 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 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 hit by money woes, with Ben laying bare their monetary concerns in court (envisioned in 2021)

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

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

‘I have actually got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have got a company debt because of Covid. It’s simply another issue.’

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

Records likewise expose that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was effectively ₤ 6,633 in the red, considering future liabilities, in its last accounts for the period ending on July 31, 2020.

The business’s accounts for the year ending in July 2021 have still not been submitted 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 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 very same dates.

A fifth business called Yoga Wellbeing which is 100 percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 at a loss, taking into consideration 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 first rose to popularity as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic (envisioned with Saffron Barker in 2019)

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

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

While the star had actually formerly wanted to start a brand-new era of dance success by departing the show, the pandemic required him to cancel his scheduled dance tour, plunging himself and brother Curtis into debt.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ clarified the cash troubles some Strictly stars can face after leaving the show.

He stated: ‘We had a business where we were running our own tour and the tour was cut brief. We paid all of our dancers since, personally, I felt like that was the right thing to do. We ended up with a barrel expense which came out of our own pocket.

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

‘They definitely did value it. I perhaps didn’t value the financial obligation that I was left in but, hey, it’s a choice that was made.’

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his good friends believe he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, however, he discussed that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he makes is no place near that.

The dancer stated: ‘I think a lot of people 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 limited business, that’s not even close.

‘I believe transparency is a favorable thing in this day and age, however many people do not really desire to discuss their finances.

‘And I believe individuals are fascinated by money. People like to see numbers and love to see nice things, and a lot 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 variety of huge cash deals and AJ says some individuals have no idea how to manage that type of amount of money.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘want to make a difference’ and have actually set up ‘using our own cash’ a monetary investment company called FINT to help to ‘inform’ individuals.

AJ became extremely open about how sometimes the TV reservations and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars have to find out how to ‘adapt’ their profession.

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his good friends 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 truly difficult I believe in our industry, the home entertainment market and a great deal of other markets today because a great deal of people are being laid off. It does play on your mental health if you do not have that next task.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested cash, from my very first wage on Strictly I have actually always had that money invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a job 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 sometimes having to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adjust a bit. Adapting is hard but you do need to adjust sometimes.

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

He described: ‘Every single day I’m brought back to reality. I pulled up at the gas pump today and the diesel was 10p more expensive due to decisions that have actually been made much greater up than my paycheck. That’s the real life.

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

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

Robin Windsor

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

Despite drawing in an excellent ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately passed away with simply ₤ 879 in his business’s company 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 proposal’ to be struck off.

The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed nearly ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, however owed lenders ₤ 15,000, suggesting 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 repaid.

The business had actually transported earnings from a ‘large range of contracts to offer performing arts services within the media market’, documentation said.

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

Robin previously told how he was paid ₤ 100,000 a year throughout his time on Strictly which came to 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 revealed his firm had actually not traded for some time (pictured on the show in 2013)

He likewise remembered one time he earned ‘ridiculous cash’, telling This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were once 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 2 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 unexpected, I was generating income I had actually just dreamt about. I probably made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not just from Strictly but from work off the back of the program such as the tour and personal efficiencies.

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

Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin said he ended up being so ‘bitter’ about not being enabled to return that he couldn’t bear to view it, and he entered into a ‘constant decrease’ 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 show, Graziano tried to cash on his looks on the program, with personalised video messages on Cameo

Graziano was when thought about a preferred among Strictly fans, but in 2015 he was considerably sacked by managers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former superstar partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later confirmed and regretted his actions versus 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 expert dancers waltzing all the method to the bank after earning MILLIONS thanks to the program

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

‘While appreciating the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s only ideal for the sake of the program that I step away. I am distressed that I wasn’t permitted to offer 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 not able to go over at this time, but I am devoted to being strong for my household and friends. I wish the Strictly household nothing however success in the future.’

Following his departure from the program, Graziano attempted to cash on his looks on the program, 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 actually capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For many 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

Ever since, she has actually appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and also earned a reported ₤ 200,000 fee for her stint on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For many fans, Oti is considered one of Strictly’s most successful 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 income before she left the show in 2022, and because her exit has actually generated a huge fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Ever since, 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 joining the Strictly lineup, Oti also 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 established with her partner Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has actually noted assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its most recent accounts.

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

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in 4 private business, which they co-own. including the residential or commercial property firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in properties as of in 2015.

And Oti has just included to her fortune in recent 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 champ in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the show in 2020, has moneyed in with a string of phase roles

However, the dancer has actually formerly 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 taken to the phase, carrying out in Strictly Ballroom, Rock of Ages and War of the Worlds.

His company Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its latest possessions with ₤ 42,234 staying after costs.

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his vehicle while attempting to start his performing career, while handling it with an office job.

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

‘I invested loads of time sleeping in my vehicle – generally living out of my car – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People believe we live these simple, showbiz, attractive lives and it’s not like that.

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

‘I was generally searching in my wallet going, I’ve simply been fired from another job. I have actually got 4 lessons tomorrow; I currently can’t pay for two of them.

‘I’m going to need to blag it with the teacher and say,” Oh, there’s been an issue at the bank. I’m going to need to give you the cash on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have capitalized their joint weight reduction recently, establishing a physical fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his better half Ola following suit two years lateer.

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

The couple have actually capitalized their joint weight loss in current years, setting up a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe.

The set sold their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have actually considering that scaled down to a home more ‘suitable’ for their daughter Ella.

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC