How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Wound Up In Debt

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

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

However, while it has actually been presumed that Strictly experts must earn a quite penny, and years of success, through their time on the program, for a lot of it’s a completely different story.

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

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the most recent stars to be hit by the notorious ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the serious monetary problems they had recently experienced are believed to have been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly stars’ incomes to expose the reality about how for lots of, the money stops as soon as the ballroom lights go dark …

Kristina Rihanoff

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

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

However, in 2015, the couple shared worries that they could lose their home after being struck by money concerns, with Ben laying bare their financial concerns in court.

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

Giving proof during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, admitted he had made a mess of the handling of their automobile insurance coverage and told how he was ‘battling to save his relationship and home’.

A buddy of the couple told the Mail he said: ‘The previous 6 months have been hell for them and it has torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their family, they have actually selected to go forward as separate individuals.

‘Those near them who understand them as a couple had 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 entrusted debilitating financial obligations after they ploughed 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 fight not to lose everything – to lose my automobiles and my house and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

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

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

‘We’re 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 simply another problem for me to handle.

‘I’ve got credit cards that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got a business debt since of Covid. It’s just another issue.’

The business was listed to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, but the action was suspended 9 days later on and discontinued on April 28, 2023.

Records also reveal 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 represent the duration ending on July 31, 2020.

The company’s accounts for the year ending in July 2021 have actually still not been submitted and are now almost 29 months overdue.

Another company called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is also owned by the Soo Yoga Group, was set up in December 2021 and liquified by a voluntary strike off in February this year without ever filing accounts.

A 4th company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by 3 other individuals was likewise integrated 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 consideration 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 first rose to fame as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic (visualized with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has considering that clarify the cash woes 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 increased to fame as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show just months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had previously wished to kickstart a new era of dance success by leaving the program, the pandemic required him to cancel his planned dance tour, plunging himself and brother Curtis into financial obligation.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ shed light on the cash woes some Strictly stars can deal with after leaving the program.

He said: ‘We had a company where we were running our own tour and the trip was cut brief. We paid all of our dancers due to the fact that, personally, I seemed like that was the right thing to do. We wound up with a barrel expense 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 hard decision to be made, but that’s what it is when you are running your own company.

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

AJ stated it is hard when a great deal of his buddies believe he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, however, he explained 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 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 restricted business, that’s not even close.

‘I believe openness is a positive thing in this day and age, however many individuals don’t truly wish to talk about their finances.

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

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a number of big money deals and AJ says some individuals have no concept how to manage that sort of sum of money.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a distinction’ and have established ‘using our own cash’ a financial investment business called FINT to assist to ‘educate’ individuals.

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

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his buddies 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 actually tough I believe in our market, the entertainment industry and a lot of other markets right now due to the fact that 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 pay check on Strictly I have actually always had that money invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a job in 6 months time, I do have money there that I can make use of if I require it.

‘And at the end of the day, there are always tasks out there. It’s just often needing to change what it is you believe you are going to do and adapt a little bit. Adapting is difficult but you do need to adapt often.

‘It is necessary that people go into these huge shows that they’re delighting in however they have an occupation behind them like myself and Curt. We’re both expert dancers, we can go all over the world and teach.’

Every day, individuals are facing the cost of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no different and is regularly snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s observed the dramatic increase in daily items.

He described: ‘Every day I’m brought back to truth. I brought up at the petrol pump today and the diesel was 10p more costly due to choices that have been made much higher up than my paycheck. That’s the genuine world.

‘I was like, ‘What 10p more expensive from the other day to today’, like that’s crazy. I believe people forget, the cost of living and inflation’s increased.

‘Even when inflation boils down, it doesn’t indicate that it goes back to what it was. Life is going to be difficult for a lot of individuals this year and I don’t think it’s going to get any much easier.’

Robin Windsor

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

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

The dancer was discovered dead in a London hotel in February last year, and in the wake of his passing it was exposed his company had not traded for a long time and according to Companies House Records was dealing with an ‘active proposition’ to be struck off.

The company Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed almost ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, however owed lenders ₤ 15,000, implying it was ₤ 8,350 in the red.

At the height of his star 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 business had channelled profits from a ‘large variety of agreements to provide performing arts services within the media industry’, documentation said.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been dealing with a Fred Olsen Cruise – together with fellow Strictly expert 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 during 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 a long time (pictured on the program in 2013)

He also recalled 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 remembered in September 2022 that the ‘best’ year of his financial life was 2010, ‘my very first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He stated: ‘All of an unexpected, I was generating income I had actually only 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 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 permitted to return that he could not bear to view it, and he went into a ‘steady decline’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was dramatically sacked by managers last year following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous celeb partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was when thought about a preferred among Strictly fans, but in 2015 he was significantly sacked by bosses following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former celebrity 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 are sorry for the occasions that caused 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 extreme enthusiasm and determination to win may have affected my training program.

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

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

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

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

And the stars who have cashed in on their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For many fans, Oti is considered one of Strictly’s most effective exports, with the dancer crowned series champ for two years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

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

For numerous fans, Oti is considered 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 wage before she left the program in 2022, and given that her exit has accumulated a big 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 joining 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 other half Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has noted assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money offer to team up with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence enhancing’ underclothing variety, and she and other half Marius likewise share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of properties in 4 personal business, which they co-own. consisting of the home firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in assets since in 2015.

And Oti has only included 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 charge.

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champ in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the program in 2020, has moneyed in with a string of stage functions

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, revealing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his automobile while attempting to kickstart his performing profession

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

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

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t always been easy, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his car while trying to start his carrying out career, while juggling it with a workplace job.

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

‘I spent loads of time sleeping in my cars and truck – 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 just getting fired from job after job – normal workplace jobs, simply trying to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was essentially looking in my wallet going, I have actually simply 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 say,” 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 capitalized their joint weight reduction 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 other half Ola doing the same 2 years lateer.

James has appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, returned a few years later for the All Stars variation 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 pair sold their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have actually since scaled down to a home more ‘suitable’ for their daughter Ella.

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC