How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Ended up In Debt

For audiences tuning into BBC’s megahit Strictly Come Dancing, they would be right in presuming that its stars need to 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 helped make the series a fascinating watch throughout the autumn months.

However, while it has actually been assumed that Strictly experts must earn a quite cent, and years of success, through their time on the program, for the majority of it’s a wholly different story.

Pros who have actually bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor in recent years have shared their struggles with piling debts and money woes, with some even dealing with the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the most recent stars to be struck by the infamous ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the severe financial troubles they had actually 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 lots of, the money stops as quickly as the ballroom lights go dark …

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly’s popular dancers have 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 a professional from 2008 to 2015, making headings when she started a romance with her star partner Ben Cohen.

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

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

Giving evidence throughout the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, confessed he had actually made a mess of the handling of their vehicle insurance plan and informed how he was ‘fighting to conserve his relationship and home’.

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

‘Those near 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 appears like there’s no going back.’

The couple were entrusted crippling debts after they tilled every penny 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 my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

Last year the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being hit by money troubles, with Ben laying bare their monetary woes in court (envisioned in 2021)

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

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

‘I have actually got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got an organization 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 and discontinued on April 28, 2023.

Records also expose that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was effectively ₤ 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 represent the year ending in July 2021 have still not been filed and are now nearly 29 months overdue.

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

A fourth company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other individuals was also integrated and voluntarily struck off on the same dates.

A 5th company 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 also almost 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ initially rose to fame as an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show simply months before the Covid pandemic (pictured with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has because shed light on the money concerns some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into debt 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 program simply months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had previously wished to start a new age of dance success by leaving the show, the pandemic forced him to cancel his planned dance tour, plunging himself and brother Curtis into financial obligation.

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

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

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

‘They definitely did appreciate it. I perhaps didn’t value 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 believe 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 stated: ‘I believe a great deal of individuals anticipate you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and immediately be a millionaire. Once you have actually paid your tax and your VAT, and if you’re a restricted business, that’s not even close.

‘I believe transparency is a positive thing in this day and age, but most individuals don’t truly desire to speak about their finances.

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

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a variety of huge cash offers and AJ says some people have no concept how to manage that kind of sum of money.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘want to make a difference’ and have actually established ‘using our own money’ a monetary investment firm called FINT to assist to ‘educate’ people.

AJ became extremely open about how sometimes the TV reservations and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars have to learn how to ‘adjust’ their profession.

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his buddies 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 show business and a lot of other industries right now since 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 invested cash, from my very first salary on Strictly I have actually constantly had actually that money invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work in six months time, I do have cash there that I can make use of if I need it.

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

‘It’s essential that individuals go into these huge programs 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 expense of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no different and is routinely snapped back into the ‘real world’ as he’s discovered the significant increase in daily products.

He explained: ‘Every single day I’m brought back to reality. I pulled up at the petrol pump today and the diesel was 10p more expensive 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 people 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 tough 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 impressive ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately passed away with just ₤ 879 in his business’s business account

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

The company Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed practically ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, but owed lenders ₤ 15,000, implying it was ₤ 8,350 in the red.

At the height of his star in 2015 and 2016 he held more than ₤ 23,000 in the business and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the business, which was paid back.

The business had actually transported incomes from a ‘wide range of contracts to offer carrying out arts services within the media industry’, paperwork stated.

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 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 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 revealed his company had not traded for a long time (imagined on the program in 2013)

He likewise remembered one time he earned ‘ridiculous cash’, informing This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were as soon as paid ₤ 10,000 each to remain in a high-end 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 said: ‘All of an unexpected, I was making money I had actually just dreamt about. I most likely made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not just from Strictly but from work off the back of the program such as the trip and personal efficiencies.

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

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin said he became so ‘bitter’ about not being permitted to return that he couldn’t bear to view it, and he went into a ‘consistent decrease’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was by employers in 2015 following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous celeb partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was once thought about a favourite amongst Strictly fans, however last year he was considerably sacked by managers following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous celeb partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later verified and regretted his actions against Zara.

Addressing his exit from the program, a ‘devastated’ Di Prima wrote on Instagram: ‘I deeply are sorry for the occasions that resulted in my departure from Strictly.

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

‘My extreme enthusiasm and decision to win might have affected my training program.

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

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

Following his departure from the program, 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 describe himself as a ‘professional dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

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

Ever since, she has actually appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and also 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 considered one of 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 wage before she left the program in 2022, and because her exit has collected a big fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

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

Before signing up with the Strictly lineup, Oti likewise worked as an expert 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 listed possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

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

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of possessions in 4 private companies, which they co-own. including the residential or commercial property company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in properties 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 fee.

Kevin Clifton

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

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, revealing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his automobile while trying to start his performing profession

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

His company Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its most current properties with ₤ 42,234 remaining after costs.

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t always been easy, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his automobile while trying to kickstart his carrying out career, while managing it with an office job.

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

‘I spent loads of time oversleeping my car – basically living out of my car – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People think we live these easy, showbiz, glamorous 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 trying to sustain my dancer profession.

‘I was basically searching in my wallet going, I have actually simply been fired from another task. I have actually got four lessons tomorrow; I already can’t pay for two 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 need to give you the money on my next lesson. » James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually cashed in on their joint weight loss recently, establishing a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly 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 actually capitalized their joint weight-loss in the last few years, setting up a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe.

The pair offered their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have given that scaled down to a home more ‘ideal’ for their child Ella.

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC