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 assuming that its stars must be making a significant fortune.

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

However, while it has been assumed that Strictly specialists need to earn a pretty penny, and years of success, through their time on the show, for a lot of it’s a wholly different story.

Pros who have bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor in the last few years have shared their struggles with piling debts and money troubles, with some even dealing with the possibility of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the current stars to be hit by the infamous ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the extreme financial problems they had just recently experienced are thought to have actually been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ incomes to expose the fact about how for numerous, 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 (imagined on the show in 2013)

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

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

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

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

A buddy of the couple told the Mail he stated: ‘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 picked to go forward as separate 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 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 whatever – 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 hit by cash woes, with Ben laying bare their monetary concerns in court (pictured in 2021)

When questioned about the strains on his and Kristina’s relationship, he stated: ‘We’re still cohabiting. 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 seriousness of it and in all honestly this is simply another issue for me to deal with.

‘I have actually got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have got a business debt due to the fact that 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 nine days later on and terminated on April 28, 2023.

Records likewise reveal that a food services company called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 percent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was efficiently ₤ 6,633 at a loss, taking into account future liabilities, in its last accounts for the period ending on July 31, 2020.

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

Another company called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is also 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 individuals was likewise integrated and willingly struck off on the exact same dates.

A 5th business called Yoga Wellbeing which is 100 percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 in the red, taking into account future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are likewise nearly 29 months past due, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ initially increased to popularity as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply months before the Covid pandemic (pictured with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has because clarify the cash problems some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into debt when his dance trip was cancelled in 2020

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

While the star had previously intended to start a 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.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ clarified the money problems some Strictly stars can deal with after leaving the show.

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 because, personally, I seemed like that was the right thing to do. We ended up with a VAT costs 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 hard choice to be made, however that’s what it is when you are running your own company.

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

AJ said it is hard when a lot of his good friends believe he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, however, 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 lot of individuals 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 limited company, that’s not even close.

‘I believe transparency is a favorable thing in this day and age, however the majority of people don’t actually wish to discuss their finances.

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

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a variety of huge cash 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 distinction’ and have actually established ‘using our own cash’ a monetary investment business called FINT to assist to ‘educate’ individuals.

AJ became really open about how sometimes the TV bookings and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars need to discover how to ‘adjust’ their career.

AJ said it is hard when a lot 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 really hard I think in our market, the home entertainment market and a great deal of other markets right now because a lot of individuals are being laid off. It does play on your mental health if you don’t have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested money, from my really first salary on Strictly I have actually constantly had that money invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work in six 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 jobs out there. It’s simply often needing to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adjust a bit. Adapting is hard however you do have to adjust sometimes.

‘It’s important 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, people are facing the cost of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no different and is regularly snapped back into the ‘real world’ as he’s observed the remarkable boost in daily items.

He described: ‘Every day I’m reminded reality. I brought up at the fuel 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 real life.

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

‘Even when inflation comes down, it doesn’t suggest that it goes back to what it was. Life is going to be hard for a great deal of individuals this year and I do not think it’s going to get any simpler.’

Robin Windsor

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

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

The dancer was found dead in a London hotel in February last year, and in the wake of his passing it was revealed his firm had actually not traded for some time and according to Companies House Records was facing an ‘active proposal’ to be struck off.

The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed almost ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted 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 business and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the business, which was repaid.

The company had actually carried profits from a ‘wide range of contracts to provide carrying out arts services within the media market’, documentation stated.

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

He also remembered one time he made ‘silly cash’, informing This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were once paid ₤ 10,000 each to stay in a luxury resort in Mauritius for a week and dance the cha-cha-cha at an event. 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 stated: ‘Suddenly, I was generating income I had just 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 trip and private performances.

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

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

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was considerably sacked by managers last year 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 customised 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 verified and regretted his actions against Zara.

Addressing his exit from the program, a ‘ravaged’ Di Prima composed on Instagram: ‘I deeply are sorry for the occasions that resulted in 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 extreme passion and decision to win might have impacted my training regime.

‘While appreciating the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s just right for the sake of the program that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t permitted to provide 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 go over at this time, but I am devoted 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 show, with customised video messages on Cameo.

The dancer charged $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 actually cashed in on their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For numerous 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

Ever since, she has actually looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and likewise earned a reported ₤ 200,000 charge for her stint on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! last year

For numerous fans, Oti is thought about one of Strictly’s most effective exports, with the dancer crowned series champion for two years in a row, in 2019 and 2020.

The dancer was reported to be on a ₤ 410,000 income before she left the show in 2022, and since her exit has collected a big fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Ever since, she has looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was likewise a panellist on The Masked Dancer, and BBC’s The Greatest Dancer, adding 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 noted as a director of Pure Mabuse Limited, which she established with her other half Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has noted properties of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money offer to collaborate with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence enhancing’ underwear range, and she and husband Marius likewise share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in four private business, which they co-own. consisting of the home firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in assets as of last year.

And Oti has just 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 fee.

Kevin Clifton

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

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his cars and truck while attempting to start his carrying out profession

Since leaving Strictly in 2020, Kevin Clifton has taken 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 assets with ₤ 42,234 remaining after bills.

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t always been simple, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his automobile while attempting to kickstart his performing career, while handling it with a workplace task.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he stated: ‘If there’s no one there, I’ll oversleep my car and after that I can afford 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

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

‘There’s been times where I was simply getting fired from job after task – regular office jobs, simply attempting to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was basically searching in my wallet going, I’ve simply been fired from another task. I have actually got four lessons tomorrow; I already can’t pay for 2 of them.

‘I’m going to need to blag it with the instructor and state,” Oh, there’s been an issue 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 recent years, setting up a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his better 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 capitalized their joint weight reduction in 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 estate for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have actually given that 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 costs.

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC