How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Ended up In Debt

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

Whether it be the tireless hours of training, or being an on-screen component for weeks on end, the program’s professional dancers have helped make the series a throughout the fall months.

However, while it has actually been presumed that Strictly specialists must make a quite penny, and years of success, through their time on the program, for the majority of it’s an entirely various story.

Pros who have bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor in current years have 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 become the newest stars to be hit by the infamous ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the severe monetary difficulties they had actually just recently experienced are thought to have actually been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly stars’ paychecks to reveal 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 ended up in debt — as Kristina Rihanoff’s monetary troubles are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (envisioned on the program in 2013)

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

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

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

Giving proof during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, confessed he had actually mishandled the handling of their cars and truck insurance policy and informed how he was ‘fighting to conserve his relationship and home’.

A friend of the couple informed the Mail he stated: ‘The previous six 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 selected to move forward as separate individuals.

‘Those close 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 appears 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 during 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 home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared fears that they could lose their home after being struck by cash concerns, with Ben laying bare their financial troubles in court (envisioned 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 problem 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’ve got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got a company financial obligation since of Covid. It’s just another problem.’

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

Records likewise expose that a food services company called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 percent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was successfully ₤ 6,633 at a loss, considering 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 actually still not been filed and are now nearly 29 months overdue.

Another company called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is likewise 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 filing accounts.

A fourth business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by 3 other individuals was likewise integrated and willingly struck off on the exact same dates.

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

AJ Pritchard

AJ initially increased to fame as a contestant 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 considering that clarify the cash concerns some Strictly stars can deal with, and shared that he was plunged into debt when his dance trip was cancelled in 2020

AJ first rose to popularity as an entrant 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 brand-new period 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 with MailOnline, AJ clarified the cash woes some Strictly stars can face after leaving the show.

He said: ‘We had a business 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 barrel expense 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 difficult decision to be made, but that’s what it is when you are running your own company.

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

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his friends believe he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, however, he described that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he earns is nowhere near that.

The dancer stated: ‘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 limited business, that’s not even close.

‘I think transparency is a positive thing in this day and age, but the majority of individuals don’t actually desire to talk about their finances.

‘And I think individuals are intrigued by money. People enjoy to see numbers and enjoy to see good things, and a lot of times you require to live within your own ways.’

After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a number of big cash deals and AJ says some individuals have no idea how to handle that sort of sum of money.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a difference’ and have established ‘utilizing our own money’ a monetary investment firm called FINT to help to ‘educate’ individuals.

AJ became really open about how sometimes the TV bookings and photoshoots can suddenly stop and stars have to find out how to ‘adapt’ their career.

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his 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 actually hard I think in our market, the show business and a lot of other markets today due to the fact that a lot of people 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 pay check on Strictly I’ve always had 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 draw on if I require it.

‘And at the end of the day, there are always jobs out there. It’s simply in some cases having to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adjust a little bit. Adapting is hard but you do need to adapt sometimes.

‘It is necessary that people enter into these big shows that they’re delighting in however 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, people 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 noticed the significant increase in daily items.

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

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

‘Even when inflation boils down, it doesn’t mean 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 pulling in an outstanding ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately died with simply ₤ 879 in his company’s company account

Despite drawing in an outstanding ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically passed away with just ₤ 879 in his business’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 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 practically ₤ 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 repaid.

The business had actually carried revenues from a ‘wide array of agreements to provide carrying out arts services within the media market’, paperwork said.

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 posted photos of himself when the boat docked in South Africa.

Robin previously told 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 company had actually not traded for a long time (pictured on the program in 2013)

He likewise remembered one time he made ‘silly cash’, telling This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were once paid ₤ 10,000 each to remain in a high-end resort in Mauritius for a week and dance the cha-cha-cha at an occasion. Our dance lasted 2 minutes.’

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

He said: ‘Suddenly, I was earning money I had actually only dreamt about. I most likely made about ₤ 100,000 that year — not just from Strictly but from work off the back of the show such as the tour and private efficiencies.

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

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin stated he ended up being so ‘bitter’ about not being permitted to return that he could not bear to enjoy it, and he went into a ‘constant decrease’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was dramatically sacked by employers in 2015 following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former celebrity 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 as soon as considered a favourite amongst Strictly fans, however last year he was significantly sacked by employers following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

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

‘My extreme passion and decision to win may have affected my training routine.

‘While appreciating 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 allowed to use a quote to the online newspaper article, and I take on board the level of sensitivity of the situation.

‘There’s more to this story that I am not able to go over at this time, however I am dedicated to being strong for my friends and family. I want the Strictly family absolutely nothing but success in the future.’

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

And the stars who have capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For numerous fans, Oti is considered one of Strictly’s most successful exports, with the dancer crowned series champion for two 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 fee for her stint on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! last year

For many fans, Oti is thought about one of 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 program in 2022, and since her exit has actually accumulated a substantial fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

Since then, 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, contributing to a rumoured fortune of more than ₤ 1.4 million.

Before joining the Strictly lineup, Oti also 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 partner Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has actually listed possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money deal to work together with Bravissimo on a ‘self-confidence boosting’ underwear variety, and she and partner Marius likewise share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

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

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

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 phase roles

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, exposing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his car while trying to kickstart his performing 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 stated ₤ 104,993 in its latest assets with ₤ 42,234 remaining after bills.

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

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he said: ‘If there’s nobody there, I’ll oversleep my cars and truck and after that I can pay for two of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I invested loads of time sleeping in my vehicle — basically living out of my vehicle — 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 task after task — typical workplace jobs, just trying to sustain my dancer profession.

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

‘I’m going to need 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 money on my next lesson.» James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have capitalized their joint weight loss recently, establishing a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his spouse Ola following suit 2 years lateer.

James has actually 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 actually capitalized their joint weight-loss over the last few years, setting up a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe.

The pair sold their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have considering that downsized to a home more ‘suitable’ for their daughter Ella.

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC