How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Wound Up In Debt

For audiences tuning into BBC’s megahit Strictly Come Dancing, they would be best in presuming that its stars need to 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 expert dancers have assisted make the series a captivating watch throughout the fall months.

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

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

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the most recent stars to be hit by the infamous ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the extreme monetary troubles they had just recently experienced are believed to have lagged their split.

MailOnline peels back the shine 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 wound up in debt – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial problems are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (pictured on the program in 2013)

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

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

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

Giving evidence during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, admitted he had actually mishandled the handling of their cars and truck insurance coverage policy and told how he was ‘fighting to conserve his relationship and home’.

A buddy of the couple informed 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 household, they have actually selected to move forward as separate individuals.

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

The couple were entrusted to debilitating financial obligations after they ploughed every cent they had into a yoga studio which plunged into crisis during the Covid pandemic.

In a tortuously frank admission Ben told the court: ‘I get up every day and I combat not to lose whatever – to lose my cars and trucks and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

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

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

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

‘I’ve got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got a service financial obligation because of Covid. It’s just another issue.’

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

Records likewise reveal that a food services company called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was effectively ₤ 6,633 at a loss, considering future liabilities, in its last represent the period ending on July 31, 2020.

The company’s represent the year ending in July 2021 have still not been submitted and are now nearly 29 months overdue.

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

A 4th business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by 3 other individuals was also incorporated and voluntarily struck off on the very same dates.

A fifth business called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred 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 increased to fame as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show just months before the Covid pandemic (imagined with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has because shed light on the money troubles some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into debt when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

AJ first increased to popularity as a candidate on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had actually formerly wished to kickstart a brand-new era of dance success by departing the program, the pandemic forced him to cancel his planned dance trip, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into debt.

Speaking to MailOnline, AJ shed light on the cash problems some Strictly stars can face after leaving the show.

He stated: ‘We had a business where we were running our own trip and the tour was cut short. We paid all of our dancers since, personally, I felt like that was the right thing to do. We ended up with a VAT bill 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 difficult choice to be made, however that’s what it is when you are running your own business.

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

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his buddies think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, nevertheless, he discussed that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he makes is nowhere near that.

The dancer said: ‘I believe a lot of people expect you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and instantly 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, however many people do not truly wish to talk about their financial resources.

‘And I believe people are intrigued by cash. People love to see numbers and like to see nice things, and a great deal of times you require to live within your own means.’

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

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

AJ became really open about how often the TV reservations and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars need to discover how to ‘adapt’ their career.

AJ said it is hard when a great deal 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 nowhere near that

He continued: ‘It’s truly tough I think in our market, the entertainment industry and a lot of other industries today due to the fact that a great deal of people are being laid off. It does use your mental health if you do not have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested money, from my really first wage on Strictly I’ve constantly had actually that money invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work in 6 months time, I do have money there that I can draw on if I need it.

‘And at the end of the day, there are constantly tasks out there. It’s simply often needing to change what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a little bit. Adapting is tough however you do need to adapt sometimes.

‘It’s important that people enter into these big shows that they’re delighting in but 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, people are dealing with the cost of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no different and is frequently snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s seen the remarkable boost in everyday products.

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

‘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 gone up.

‘Even when inflation boils down, it does not suggest that it goes back to what it was. Life is going to be tough for a lot of people this year and I don’t believe it’s going to get any much easier.’

Robin Windsor

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

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

The dancer was discovered dead in a London hotel in February in 2015, and in the wake of his passing it was exposed his company had actually not traded for some time and according to Companies House Records was facing an ‘active proposition’ to be struck off.

The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed almost ₤ 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 celebrity in 2015 and 2016 he held more than ₤ 23,000 in the company and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the company, which was repaid.

The company had directed earnings from a ‘wide array of agreements to supply performing arts services within the media market’, paperwork said.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been dealing with 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 formerly told how he was paid ₤ 100,000 a year during his time on Strictly which pertained to 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 exposed his company had not traded for some time (imagined on the program in 2013)

He likewise remembered one time he earned ‘silly money’, telling This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were when paid ₤ 10,000 each to remain in a high-end 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 very first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He said: ‘Suddenly, I was making money I had just dreamt about. I probably made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not just from Strictly but from work off the back of the show such as the trip and personal efficiencies.

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

Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin stated he ended up being so ‘bitter’ about not being allowed to return that he couldn’t bear to enjoy it, and he went into a ‘consistent decrease’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was considerably sacked by managers in 2015 following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former celeb partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was once thought about a preferred among Strictly fans, but last year he was significantly sacked by employers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later on validated and regretted his actions against Zara.

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

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

‘My extreme passion and determination to win may have affected my training regime.

‘While respecting the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s just ideal for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t enabled to offer a quote to the online newspaper article, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation.

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

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

The $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 capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For many fans, Oti is considered among 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 likewise earned a reported ₤ 200,000 cost for her stint on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For many fans, Oti is thought about 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 wage before she left the show in 2022, and since her exit has collected a substantial fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Ever since, she has actually appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was also a panellist on The Masked Dancer, and BBC’s The best Dancer, adding to a rumoured fortune of more than ₤ 1.4 million.

Before joining the Strictly lineup, Oti also 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 established with her hubby Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has actually noted assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money deal to collaborate with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence increasing’ underclothing range, and she and spouse Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London mansion.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of properties in four personal companies, which they co-own. consisting of the property company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in assets as of last year.

And Oti has actually only contributed to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Celebrity 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 stage roles

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t always been easy, exposing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his vehicle while trying to kickstart his performing career

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 most current properties with ₤ 42,234 remaining after costs.

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his car while trying to kickstart his performing profession, 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 then I can afford 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

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

‘There’s been times where I was simply getting fired from job after job – typical office tasks, simply trying to sustain my dancer profession.

‘I was basically looking in my wallet going, I’ve simply been fired from another job. I have actually got 4 lessons tomorrow; I currently can’t spend for 2 of them.

‘I’m going to have to blag it with the teacher and say,” Oh, there’s been a problem 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 actually capitalized their joint weight-loss recently, establishing a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his better half Ola doing the same two years lateer.

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

The couple have cashed in on their joint weight-loss recently, establishing a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe.

The set sold their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have actually because scaled down to a home more ‘ideal’ for their daughter Ella.

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

They earn extra cash by offering signed photos for ₤ 9.50 while Ola offers dance lessons to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC