How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Wound Up In Debt

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

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

However, while it has been presumed that Strictly professionals must earn a pretty penny, and years of success, through their time on the show, for most it’s a wholly different story.

Pros who have actually bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor in the last few years have actually shared their battles with stacking financial obligations and cash troubles, with some even facing the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the current stars to be hit by the infamous ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the serious financial problems they had just recently experienced are thought to have lagged their split.

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

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly’s popular dancers have actually wound up in financial obligation – as Kristina Rihanoff’s monetary troubles are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (imagined on the program in 2013)

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

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

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

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

A good friend of the couple told the Mail he said: ‘The previous 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 selected to move forward as different individuals.

‘Those near them who understand them as a couple had actually hoped they would be able to work things out but for now it’s over and it appears like there’s no going back.’

The couple were left with crippling financial obligations 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 informed the court: ‘I get up every day and I battle not to lose whatever – to lose my cars and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared fears that they might lose their home after being struck by cash problems, with Ben laying bare their monetary problems in court (pictured in 2021)

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

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

‘I’ve got credit cards that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have got a service financial obligation because of Covid. It’s simply another problem.’

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

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

The company’s represent the year ending in July 2021 have actually still not been filed and are now almost 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 filing accounts.

A fourth business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by 3 other individuals was likewise integrated and voluntarily struck off on the very same dates.

A fifth company called Yoga Wellbeing which is 100 percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 at a loss, considering future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are likewise almost 29 months past due, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ initially rose to popularity 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 problems some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance trip was cancelled in 2020

AJ initially rose to popularity as an entrant 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 new age of dance success by departing the show, the pandemic required him to cancel his scheduled dance trip, plunging himself and brother Curtis into debt.

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

He stated: ‘We had a company where we were running our own tour and the tour was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers due to the fact that, personally, I felt 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 make money, myself or Curtis, however 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 company.

‘They certainly did appreciate it. I maybe didn’t value the financial obligation that I was left in however, hi, it’s a choice that was made.’

AJ said it is hard when a lot 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 makes is no place near that.

The dancer said: ‘I believe a great deal of individuals anticipate you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and immediately be a millionaire. Once you have actually paid your tax and your VAT, and if you’re a minimal company, that’s not even close.

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

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

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a number of big cash deals and AJ says some individuals have no concept how to deal with that sort of amount of cash.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘desire to make a distinction’ and have actually set up ‘utilizing our own money’ a monetary investment business called FINT to assist to ‘inform’ individuals.

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

AJ stated it is hard when a great deal of his friends 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 truly hard I believe in our market, the show business and a lot of other industries right now since a lot of people are being laid off. It does use your psychological health if you don’t have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested money, from my extremely first wage on Strictly I’ve constantly had actually that money invested into different 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 constantly jobs out there. It’s just often needing to change what it is you believe you are going to do and adapt a bit. Adapting is hard however you do need to adapt in some cases.

‘It is essential that people enter into these big programs that they’re delighting 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, people are facing the expense of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no different and is routinely snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s seen the dramatic boost in daily products.

He explained: ‘Every single day I’m brought back to truth. I brought up at the petrol pump today and the diesel was 10p more costly due to decisions that have been made much greater up than my paycheck. That’s the real life.

‘I was like, ‘What 10p more expensive from the other day to today’, like that’s insane. I believe individuals forget, the expense of living and inflation’s gone up.

‘Even when inflation comes down, it doesn’t indicate that it returns to what it was. Life is going to be difficult for a great deal of individuals this year and I do not believe it’s going to get any simpler.’

Robin Windsor

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

Despite pulling in an outstanding ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically passed away with simply ₤ 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 company Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed nearly ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, but owed lenders ₤ 15,000, indicating 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 paid back.

The business had actually directed profits from a ‘variety of agreements to offer performing arts services within the media market’, paperwork stated.

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

Robin formerly told 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 revealed his company had not traded for some time (imagined on the program in 2013)

He also recalled one time he earned ‘silly cash’, telling This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were as soon as paid ₤ 10,000 each to stay in a luxury resort in Mauritius for a week and dance the cha-cha-cha at an occasion. 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 stated: ‘All of an abrupt, I was making money 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 private performances.

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

Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin said he became so ‘bitter’ about not being permitted to return that he couldn’t bear to see it, and he went into a ‘constant decline’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was considerably sacked by bosses last year following claims of gross misconduct towards his former celeb 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 when thought about a preferred among Strictly fans, but in 2015 he was considerably sacked by employers following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott.

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

Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘ravaged’ Di Prima composed on Instagram: ‘I deeply are sorry for the occasions that caused my departure from Strictly.

Strictly Come Dancing abundant list: The professional dancers waltzing all the method to the bank after making MILLIONS thanks to the program

‘My extreme enthusiasm and determination to win might have affected my training regime.

‘While appreciating the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s only best 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 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, however I am devoted to being strong for my family and buddies. I wish the Strictly household absolutely nothing but 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 cashed in on their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For numerous fans, Oti is thought about among Strictly’s most effective exports, with the dancer crowned series champion for two years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

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

For numerous fans, Oti is thought about 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 given that her exit has actually amassed a huge fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

Ever since, she has looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was also a panellist on The Masked Dancer, and BBC’s The Greatest Dancer, contributing to a rumoured fortune of more than ₤ 1.4 million.

Before signing up with the Strictly lineup, Oti likewise 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 possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti also signed a big-money offer to team up with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence improving’ underclothing 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 four personal companies, which they co-own. including the property company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in assets since last year.

And Oti has only added to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! where she was supposedly paid a ₤ 200,000 fee.

Kevin Clifton

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

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his automobile while attempting to start his performing profession

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

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

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t always been easy, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his cars and truck while attempting to kickstart his performing career, while managing it with a workplace task.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he said: ‘If there’s no one there, I’ll oversleep my vehicle and then I can afford 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I invested loads of time oversleeping my vehicle – basically living out of my vehicle – 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 just getting fired from task after task – typical office tasks, just attempting to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was generally searching in my wallet going, I have actually just been fired from another task. I have actually got 4 lessons tomorrow; I already can’t spend for two of them.

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

Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually cashed in on their joint weight loss in the last few years, establishing a physical fitness website called 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 actually appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, returned a couple of years later for the All Stars version and won Dancing On Ice in 2019.

The couple have actually capitalized their joint weight-loss recently, setting up a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe.

The set sold their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have given that downsized to a home more ‘ideal’ for their child Ella.

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

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