How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have actually Wound Up In Debt

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

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

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

Pros who have actually bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor over the last few years have actually shared their battles with piling debts and cash problems, with some even facing the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the latest stars to be struck by the notorious ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the severe financial 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 actually wound up in financial obligation – as Kristina Rihanoff’s monetary difficulties are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (pictured on the show in 2013)

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

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

The degree of the couple’s battles were laid bare in unusual scenarios – throughout a court appearance last September when Kristina, 47, was caught driving without insurance coverage.

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

A good friend of the couple told the Mail he stated: ‘The past six months have been hell for them and it has actually torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their family, they have picked to go forward as different individuals.

‘Those near to 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 looks like there’s no going back.’

The couple were left with crippling debts after they ploughed every cent they had into a yoga studio which plunged into crisis throughout the Covid pandemic.

In a tortuously frank admission Ben told the court: ‘I get up every day and I fight not to lose everything – to lose my vehicles 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 woes, with Ben laying bare their monetary concerns in court (envisioned 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 problem is that we opened the organization before Covid and we got the worst severities of it and in all truthfully this is just another problem for me to deal with.

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

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

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

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

Another business 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 4th company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three 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 in the red, taking into account future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are also nearly 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ first increased to popularity 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 clarify the cash concerns some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

AJ initially rose to fame as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show just months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had actually formerly hoped to start a new period of dance success by leaving the show, the pandemic required him to cancel his organized dance trip, plunging himself and brother Curtis into debt.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ clarified the cash issues some Strictly stars can face after leaving the show.

He said: ‘We had a business where we were running our own trip and the trip was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers since, personally, I seemed like that was the right thing to do. We wound up with a VAT bill which came out of our own pocket.

‘We didn’t make money, myself or Curtis, but we paid all of our dancers. It’s a hard choice to be made, however that’s what it is when you are running your own business.

‘They certainly did value it. I possibly didn’t appreciate the debt that I was left in but, hey, it’s a choice that was made.’

AJ stated it is hard when a great deal of his pals 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 no place near that.

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

‘I think openness is a favorable thing in this day and age, however many individuals do not really wish to discuss their finances.

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

After leaving shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a variety of huge cash deals and AJ says some people have no concept how to handle that type of amount of money.

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

AJ ended up being very open about how sometimes the TV bookings and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars need to learn how to ‘adjust’ their career.

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his good friends believe 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 think in our industry, the home entertainment market and a great deal of other markets today due to the fact that a great deal of individuals 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 really first salary on Strictly I’ve constantly had that money invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work in 6 months time, I do have money there that I can draw on if I require it.

‘And at the end of the day, there are constantly tasks out there. It’s simply sometimes needing to change what it is you believe you are going to do and adapt a bit. Adapting is hard however you do have to adjust sometimes.

‘It’s important that individuals enter into these huge shows that they’re enjoying 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, individuals are dealing with the cost of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no different and is regularly snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s discovered the dramatic boost in everyday items.

He described: ‘Each and every single day I’m brought back to reality. I brought up at the gas pump today and the diesel was 10p more costly due to choices that have actually been made much higher up than my paycheck. That’s the real world.

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

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

Robin Windsor

Despite pulling in an excellent ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically passed away with just ₤ 879 in his company’s service account

Despite pulling in an impressive ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically died with just ₤ 879 in his business’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 exposed his firm had not traded for a long time and according to Companies House Records was facing an ‘active proposal’ to be struck off.

The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed nearly ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, but owed lenders ₤ 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 repaid.

The business had actually carried incomes from a ‘variety of agreements to provide carrying out arts services within the media market’, documents stated.

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

Robin formerly informed how he was paid ₤ 100,000 a year throughout his time on Strictly which pertained 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 not traded for some time (imagined on the show in 2013)

He likewise recalled one time he made ‘ridiculous cash’, telling 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 two 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 .

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 however from work off the back of the show such as the tour and personal performances.

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

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

Graziano Di Prima

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

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

Graziano was when considered a favourite among Strictly fans, however last year he was considerably sacked by employers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later verified and regretted his actions versus 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 abundant list: The expert dancers waltzing all the way to the bank after earning MILLIONS thanks to the show

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

‘While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s just right 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 newspaper article, and I take on board the level of sensitivity of the circumstance.

‘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 household absolutely nothing but success in the future.’

Following his departure from the show, Graziano attempted 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 refer to himself as a ‘professional dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have actually capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For lots of fans, Oti is considered among Strictly’s most effective exports, with the dancer crowned series champion for 2 years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

Since then, she has looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and also made a reported ₤ 200,000 cost for her stint on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For lots of fans, Oti is considered one of Strictly’s most successful exports, with the dancer crowned series champ for two 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 actually accumulated a huge fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Since then, she has 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 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 set up with her hubby Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has actually noted properties of ₤ 510,953, according to its newest accounts.

In 2022, Oti also signed a big-money offer to collaborate with Bravissimo on a ‘self-confidence improving’ underwear range, and she and spouse Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London mansion.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in 4 personal business, which they co-own. consisting of the residential or commercial property firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in possessions as of in 2015.

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

Kevin Clifton

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

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t always been simple, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his vehicle while trying to kickstart his carrying out career

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

His firm Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its most current possessions with ₤ 42,234 staying after bills.

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his vehicle while trying to start his carrying out career, while managing it with an office job.

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

‘I invested loads of time oversleeping my car – essentially living out of my car – 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 job – typical office jobs, just trying to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was basically searching in my wallet going, I’ve simply been fired from another job. I’ve got four lessons tomorrow; I currently can’t pay for two of them.

‘I’m going to have to blag it with the instructor and state,» Oh, there’s been a problem 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 capitalized their joint weight-loss in the last few years, setting up a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe

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

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

The couple have cashed in on their joint weight reduction in recent years, setting up a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe.

The set offered their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have since downsized to a home more ‘appropriate’ for their daughter Ella.

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

They earn additional cash by offering signed pictures for ₤ 9.50 while Ola uses dance lessons to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC