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

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

Whether it be the determined hours of training, or being an on-screen fixture for weeks on end, the show's expert dancers have helped make the series a captivating watch throughout the autumn months.

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

Pros who have actually bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor recently have actually 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 current stars to be hit by the notorious 'Strictly curse' after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the extreme monetary troubles they had actually recently experienced are believed to have actually been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly stars' incomes to expose the truth about how for numerous, the money stops as soon 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 (pictured on the program in 2013)

Kristina formerly appeared on Strictly as a professional from 2008 to 2015, making headings when she began a romance with her star partner Ben Cohen.

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

The level of the couple's struggles were laid bare in uncommon 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, admitted he had bungled the handling of their automobile insurance plan and informed how he was 'fighting to save his relationship and home'.

A buddy of the couple informed 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 household, they have picked to move forward as different individuals.

'Those near them who know 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 debilitating 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 informed the court: 'I get up every day and I fight not to lose everything - to lose my vehicles and my house and my relationship. I'm so overdrawn.'

Last year the couple shared fears that they might lose their home after being hit by money troubles, with Ben laying bare their monetary woes 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're in service together so the issue is that we opened business before Covid and we got the worst severities of it and in all truthfully this is simply another problem for me to handle.

'I have actually got credit cards that are overdrawn. I'm overdrawn in both accounts. We have got an organization debt due to the fact that 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 9 days later and terminated on April 28, 2023.

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

The business's accounts for the year ending in July 2021 have still not been filed and are now almost 29 months past due.

Another business 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 submitting accounts.

A fourth business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by 3 other individuals was also incorporated and voluntarily struck off on the very same dates.

A 5th business called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 at a loss, taking into account future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are also 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 just months before the Covid pandemic (visualized with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has since clarify the cash issues some Strictly stars can deal with, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance trip was cancelled in 2020

AJ first increased to fame as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show just months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had actually previously intended to start a new period of dance success by departing the show, the pandemic required him to cancel his organized dance tour, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into financial obligation.

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

He stated: 'We had a business where we were running our own tour and the tour was cut short. We paid all of our dancers due to the fact that, personally, I seemed like that was the ideal 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, 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 certainly did value it. I perhaps didn't appreciate the financial obligation that I was left in however, hello, it's a decision that was made.'

AJ stated it is hard when a great deal of his friends think he's a 'millionaire' after starring on Strictly, however, he discussed that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he earns is nowhere near that.

The dancer said: 'I believe a lot 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 believe transparency is a favorable thing in this day and age, however many people do not really wish to speak about their financial resources.

'And I believe individuals are intrigued by money. People love to see numbers and love to see good things, and a lot of times you require to live within your own means.'

After leaving shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a number of big cash offers and AJ says some individuals have no idea how to manage that kind of sum of cash.

Former I'm A Celebrity star AJ exposed he and Curtis 'wish to make a distinction' and have actually set up 'utilizing our own cash' a financial investment firm called FINT to help to 'inform' people.

AJ ended up being really open about how sometimes the TV bookings and photoshoots can suddenly stop and stars have to find out how to 'adapt' their profession.

AJ stated it is hard when a great deal of his pals believe he's a 'millionaire' after starring on Strictly, as after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he earns is no place near that

He continued: 'It's actually tough I believe in our industry, the 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 psychological health if you do not have that next task.

'Myself and Curtis have actually invested cash, from my really first pay check on Strictly I have actually always had actually that cash 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 require it.

'And at the end of the day, there are constantly tasks out there. It's just often needing to change what it is you think you are going to do and adjust a bit. Adapting is difficult but you do need to adjust often.

'It is necessary that people go into these huge programs that they're enjoying 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, individuals are facing the expense of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no different and is routinely snapped back into the 'real life' as he's discovered the remarkable increase in daily items.

He discussed: 'Every day I'm brought back to truth. I pulled up at the gas pump today and the diesel was 10p more expensive due to decisions that have actually been made much higher up than my income. That's the real life.

'I resembled, 'What 10p more expensive from the other day to today', like that's crazy. I think people forget, the expense of living and inflation's increased.

'Even when inflation boils down, it does not mean that it goes back to what it was. Life is going to be difficult for a lot of individuals this year and I don't think it's going to get any easier.'

Robin Windsor

Despite drawing in an outstanding ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately passed away with simply ₤ 879 in his business's organization account

Despite pulling in an outstanding ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately died with simply ₤ 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 revealed 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 business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed nearly ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, but owed creditors ₤ 15,000, indicating it was ₤ 8,350 in the red.

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

The business had actually funnelled revenues from a 'variety of agreements to provide carrying out arts services within the media market', paperwork stated.

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

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 exposed his firm had not traded for a long time (visualized on the program in 2013)

He also remembered one time he earned 'ridiculous cash', informing This Is Money: 'My dance partner and I were once 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 'best' year of his monetary life was 2010, 'my first year on Strictly Come Dancing'.

He stated: 'Suddenly, I was making money I had actually only dreamt about. I probably 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, everyone wants a little slice of you.'

Discussing 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 entered into a 'steady decline' after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

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

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

Graziano was once thought about a preferred amongst Strictly fans, but in 2015 he was dramatically sacked by bosses following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former celeb partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later validated and regretted his actions against Zara.

Addressing his exit from the show, a 'devastated' Di Prima wrote on Instagram: 'I deeply are sorry for the events that led to my departure from Strictly.

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

'My extreme passion and decision to win might have affected my training regime.

'While appreciating the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it's just right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am distressed that I wasn't enabled to use 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 not able to go over at this time, however I am devoted to being strong for my friends and family. I want the Strictly family nothing but success in the future.'

Following his departure from the show, Graziano attempted to cash on his looks 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 'expert dancer on Strictly' on his profile.

And the stars who have cashed in on their Strictly success ...

Oti Mabuse

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

Ever since, she has appeared as 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 many fans, Oti is considered 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 wage before she left the show in 2022, and considering that her exit has actually accumulated a big fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

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

Before joining 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 listed properties of ₤ 510,953, according to its newest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money offer to team up with Bravissimo on a 'confidence enhancing' underclothing range, and she and husband Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London mansion.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of possessions in four private companies, which they co-own. including the residential or commercial property firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in assets since last year.

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

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champion in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the program in 2020, has cashed 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 sleep in his cars and truck while attempting to start his performing career

Since leaving Strictly in 2020, Kevin Clifton has taken 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 newest possessions with ₤ 42,234 remaining after expenses.

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn't always been simple, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his car while trying to kickstart his carrying out profession, while juggling it with an office task.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he said: 'If there's nobody there, I'll sleep in my cars and truck and then I can manage 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

'I invested loads of time oversleeping my vehicle - basically living out of my vehicle - and having no work. It's not all glamour. People think we live these simple, showbiz, glamorous lives and it's not like that.

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

'I was essentially searching in my wallet going, I have actually simply been fired from another job. I've 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 a problem at the bank. I'm going to have to give you the cash on my next lesson." James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have cashed in on their joint weight-loss over the last few years, establishing a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe

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

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

The couple have cashed in on their joint weight-loss in current years, setting up a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe.

The pair offered their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have actually considering that scaled down to a home more 'ideal' for their daughter Ella.

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC