How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have actually 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 hefty fortune.

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

However, while it has actually been assumed that Strictly experts should make a pretty penny, and years of success, through their time on the program, for a lot of it’s a wholly various story.

Pros who have actually bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor in current years have actually shared their struggles with stacking financial obligations and cash concerns, with some even facing the possibility of losing their homes.

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

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ paychecks to expose the truth about how for lots of, 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 troubles are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (visualized on the program in 2013)

previously appeared on Strictly as a professional from 2008 to 2015, making headings when she began a love with her celeb partner Ben Cohen.

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

The extent of the couple’s battles were laid bare in unusual scenarios – throughout a court look 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 made a mess of the handling of their cars and truck insurance plan and told how he was ‘battling to save his relationship and home’.

A friend of the couple informed 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 household, they have chosen to go forward as separate individuals.

‘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 left with 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 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 could lose their home after being hit by cash issues, with Ben laying bare their monetary troubles in court (pictured in 2021)

When questioned about the stress 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 issue is that we opened the service before Covid and we got the worst intensities of it and in all truthfully this is simply another issue for me to deal with.

‘I’ve got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have got a company financial obligation since of Covid. It’s just another problem.’

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

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

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

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 submitting accounts.

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

A 5th business 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 first rose to fame as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply months before the Covid pandemic (envisioned with Saffron Barker in 2019)

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

AJ first rose to popularity as an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show simply months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had formerly wanted to start a new era of dance success by departing the program, the pandemic forced him to cancel his scheduled dance tour, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into financial obligation.

Speaking to MailOnline, AJ shed light on the cash concerns some Strictly stars can deal with after leaving the show.

He said: ‘We had a business where we were running our own tour and the trip was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers because, 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 earn money, myself or Curtis, but we paid all of our dancers. It’s a difficult choice to be made, but that’s what it is when you are running your own business.

‘They certainly did value it. I perhaps didn’t value the debt that I was left in however, hello, it’s a decision that was made.’

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his buddies think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, nevertheless, he explained 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 people anticipate 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 restricted company, that’s not even close.

‘I think transparency is a favorable thing in this day and age, however many people don’t truly wish to discuss their finances.

‘And I believe people are interested by cash. People like to see numbers and love to see good things, and a lot of times you need to live within your own methods.’

After leaving shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a number of huge money deals and AJ states some individuals have no concept how to manage that type of sum of cash.

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

AJ became extremely open about how in some cases the TV reservations and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars need to discover how to ‘adapt’ their career.

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his pals think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, as after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he earns is nowhere near that

He continued: ‘It’s really hard I believe in our industry, the show business and a lot of other markets right now due to the fact that a lot 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 extremely first salary on Strictly I have actually always had actually that cash invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a job in six 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 just often having to alter what it is you believe you are going to do and adjust a bit. Adapting is hard but you do have to adapt sometimes.

‘It is very important that individuals go into these big shows that they’re delighting in but they have a profession behind them like myself and Curt. We’re both professional dancers, we can go all over the world and teach.’

Every day, individuals are facing the expense of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no various and is frequently snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s observed the remarkable boost in daily products.

He explained: ‘Every single day I’m reminded truth. I pulled up at the gas pump today and the diesel was 10p more expensive due to choices that have actually been made much higher up than my paycheck. That’s the genuine world.

‘I was like, ‘What 10p more expensive from yesterday to today’, like that’s crazy. I think individuals forget, the expense of living and inflation’s increased.

‘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 people this year and I don’t think it’s going to get any simpler.’

Robin Windsor

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

Despite pulling in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically passed away with simply ₤ 879 in his business’s organization 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 firm had not traded for some time and according to Companies House Records was facing an ‘active proposal’ to be struck off.

The company Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed nearly ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, however owed creditors ₤ 15,000, suggesting 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 company had carried incomes from a ‘wide array of contracts to supply performing arts services within the media market’, paperwork stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had actually been dealing with a Fred Olsen Cruise – alongside fellow Strictly professional Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and published 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 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 firm had actually not traded for a long time (imagined on the program in 2013)

He also recalled one time he earned ‘silly money’, informing This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were when paid ₤ 10,000 each to remain in a luxury resort in Mauritius for a week and dance the cha-cha-cha at an event. Our dance lasted 2 minutes.’

He kept in mind in September 2022 that the ‘finest’ year of his monetary life was 2010, ‘my very first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He stated: ‘All of an abrupt, I was making money I had actually only dreamt about. I most likely made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not just from Strictly however from work off the back of the program such as the tour 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 enabled to return that he couldn’t bear to see it, and he went into a ‘constant decrease’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was dramatically sacked by employers last year following claims of gross misconduct towards his former superstar partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was once considered a favourite among Strictly fans, but last year he was significantly sacked by employers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former superstar partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later confirmed 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 caused my departure from Strictly.

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

‘My intense passion and decision to win might have impacted my training routine.

‘While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t permitted to provide a quote to the online newspaper article, and I take on board the sensitivity of the scenario.

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

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

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

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

Oti Mabuse

For numerous fans, Oti is thought about among Strictly’s most successful exports, with the dancer crowned series champion for 2 years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

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

For lots of fans, Oti is thought about among 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 salary before she left the program in 2022, and since her exit has generated a big fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Since then, she has actually looked like 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 signing up with the Strictly lineup, Oti likewise worked as a professional 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 listed possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti also signed a big-money offer to collaborate with Bravissimo on a ‘self-confidence improving’ underwear variety, and she and hubby 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. including the residential or commercial property firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in possessions as of in 2015.

And Oti has actually just added to her fortune in current months by appearing on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! where she was apparently paid a ₤ 200,000 cost.

Kevin Clifton

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

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t always been easy, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his cars and truck while attempting to start his carrying out career

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

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

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t always been easy, revealing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his vehicle while trying to start his carrying out profession, while juggling it with a workplace job.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he said: ‘If there’s no one there, I’ll oversleep my cars and truck and after that I can manage two of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I spent loads of time oversleeping my cars and truck – basically living out of my automobile – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People believe we live these easy, showbiz, glamorous lives and it’s not like that.

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

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

‘I’m going to have to blag it with the instructor 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 over the last few years, setting up a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his wife Ola doing the same 2 years lateer.

James has appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, returned a couple of 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 in the last few years, setting up a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe.

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

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC