How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Wound Up In Debt

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

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

However, while it has actually been presumed that Strictly experts need to earn a quite penny, and years of success, through their time on the program, for the majority of it’s a wholly various story.

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

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being 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 severe monetary troubles they had actually just recently experienced are believed to have actually lagged their split.

MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly stars’ incomes to expose the reality about how for many, 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 financial difficulties are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (visualized on the show in 2013)

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

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

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

Giving evidence during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, admitted he had actually mishandled 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 stated: ‘The previous 6 months have been hell for them and it has actually torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their household, they have actually chosen to move forward as different individuals.

‘Those close to 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 tilled 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 battle not to lose everything – to lose my cars and trucks and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared worries that they could lose their home after being struck by cash problems, with Ben laying bare their financial problems in court (visualized in 2021)

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

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

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

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

Records also expose that a food services company called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was successfully ₤ 6,633 in the red, taking into account future liabilities, in its last represent the period ending on July 31, 2020.

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

Another business called 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 4th business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other people was also incorporated and willingly struck off on the same dates.

A fifth company 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 also nearly 29 months past due, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ initially increased to fame 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 money problems some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into debt when his dance trip was cancelled in 2020

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

While the star had actually previously wished to kickstart a new period of dance success by departing the show, the pandemic required him to cancel his planned dance trip, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into financial obligation.

Speaking with MailOnline, AJ clarified the cash issues some Strictly stars can deal with after leaving the program.

He stated: ‘We had a company where we were running our own trip and the tour was cut short. We paid all of our dancers due to the fact that, personally, I felt like that was the ideal 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 choice to be made, however that’s what it is when you are running your own company.

‘They absolutely did value it. I perhaps 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 great deal of his pals 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 no place near that.

The dancer said: ‘I think a great deal 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 restricted company, that’s not even close.

‘I think transparency is a favorable thing in this day and age, however most people do not really wish to speak about their financial resources.

‘And I think people are intrigued by cash. People enjoy to see numbers and like to see good things, and a great deal of times you require to live within your own ways.’

After leaving shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a number of huge money offers and AJ states some people have no idea how to handle that sort of sum of cash.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘want to make a difference’ and have actually set up ‘using our own money’ a financial investment firm called FINT to help to ‘educate’ individuals.

AJ ended up being very open about how in some cases the TV reservations and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars need to discover how to ‘adapt’ their profession.

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his pals 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 actually hard I believe in our industry, the home entertainment market and a lot of other industries right now because a great deal 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 actually invested cash, from my very first wage on Strictly I have actually always had actually that cash invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a job in 6 months time, I do have cash there that I can make use of if I require it.

‘And at the end of the day, there are constantly tasks out there. It’s simply in some cases having to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adjust a bit. Adapting is difficult however you do need to adapt often.

‘It is essential that people go into these huge programs that they’re delighting in 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, individuals are dealing with the expense of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no various and is regularly snapped back into the ‘real world’ as he’s seen the significant boost in daily 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 been made much higher up than my income. That’s the real life.

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

‘Even when inflation comes down, it does not mean that it goes back to what it was. Life is going to be difficult for a great deal 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 tragically died with just ₤ 879 in his business’s business account

Despite pulling in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately passed away with simply ₤ 879 in his company’s service account.

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

The company Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed practically ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, but owed financial institutions ₤ 15,000, meaning 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 business, which was repaid.

The business had actually transported earnings from a ‘variety of agreements to supply performing arts services within the media market’, documents stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been working on a Fred Olsen Cruise – together with fellow Strictly expert 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 exposed his firm had not traded for some time (pictured on the program in 2013)

He likewise remembered one time he made ‘ridiculous money’, 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 ‘finest’ year of his monetary life was 2010, ‘my very first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

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

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

Discussing 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 entered into a ‘steady decrease’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was dramatically sacked by managers 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 show, with customised video messages on Cameo

Graziano was when considered a preferred among Strictly fans, but in 2015 he was significantly sacked by managers following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later verified and regretted his actions versus Zara.

Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘devastated’ Di Prima composed on Instagram: ‘I deeply are sorry for the events that led to my departure from Strictly.

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

‘My intense enthusiasm and determination to win may have affected my training program.

‘While appreciating the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s just ideal 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 news stories, and I take on board the level of sensitivity of the situation.

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

Following his departure from the show, Graziano tried to cash on his appearances on the program, with customised 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 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 actually looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and also earned a reported ₤ 200,000 charge for her stint on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For lots of 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.

The dancer was reported to be on a ₤ 410,000 salary before she left the show in 2022, and since her exit has collected a substantial fortune with a string of effective 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 Greatest Dancer, contributing to a rumoured fortune of more than ₤ 1.4 million.

Before joining 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 established with her partner Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has noted properties of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

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

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of properties in four private companies, which they co-own. consisting of the property company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in properties since in 2015.

And Oti has actually just included 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 fee.

Kevin Clifton

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

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t always been simple, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his automobile while trying to kickstart his carrying out career

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

His company Supreme Dance stated ₤ 104,993 in its newest possessions with ₤ 42,234 remaining after bills.

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his cars and truck while attempting to start his carrying out profession, while managing it with a workplace job.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he said: ‘If there’s nobody there, I’ll sleep in my car and after that I can afford 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

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

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

‘I was essentially searching in my wallet going, I have actually simply been fired from another task. I’ve got 4 lessons tomorrow; I already 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 cashed in on their joint weight-loss in the last few years, establishing a physical 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 actually appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, returned a couple of 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 over the last few years, establishing a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe.

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

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC