How Strictly's Popular Dancers have Ended up In Debt

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

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

However, while it has actually been presumed that Strictly professionals must earn a pretty penny, and years of success, through their time on the program, for many it's a wholly various story.

Pros who have bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor recently have shared their battles with stacking financial obligations and cash issues, with some even facing the prospect of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the current stars to be struck by the infamous 'Strictly curse' after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the serious monetary problems they had recently experienced are thought to have actually been behind their split.

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars' paychecks to reveal the reality about how for numerous, the money stops as quickly as the ballroom lights go dark ...

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly's popular dancers have wound up in debt - as Kristina Rihanoff's financial problems are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (visualized on the show in 2013)

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

However, last year, 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.

The degree of the couple's battles were laid bare in unusual scenarios - throughout a court look last September when Kristina, 47, was captured driving without insurance.

Giving evidence throughout the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, confessed he had actually mishandled the handling of their cars and truck insurance plan and informed how he was 'combating to save his relationship and home'.

A pal of the couple informed the Mail he said: 'The past 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 move forward as separate people.

'Those near them who know them as a couple had actually hoped they would be able to work things out however for now it's over and it appears like there's no going back.'

The couple were entrusted debilitating debts after they tilled 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 combat not to lose whatever - to lose my cars and my house and my relationship. I'm so overdrawn.'

In 2015 the couple shared fears that they could lose their home after being hit by cash troubles, with Ben laying bare their monetary problems in court (imagined in 2021)

When questioned about the pressures on his and Kristina's relationship, he said: 'We're still living together. We're in it economically.

'We're in business together so the issue is that we opened business before Covid and we got the worst severities of it and in all honestly this is just 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 business financial obligation because of Covid. It's just another issue.'

The business was listed to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, but the action was suspended nine days later and terminated 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 effectively ₤ 6,633 at a loss, considering 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 submitted and are now almost 29 months overdue.

Another business 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 submitting accounts.

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

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

AJ Pritchard

AJ first increased to fame as an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show just months before the Covid pandemic (imagined with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has since shed light on the cash troubles some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance trip was cancelled in 2020

AJ initially increased to fame as a candidate on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had actually previously intended to kickstart a brand-new era of dance success by leaving the show, the pandemic required him to cancel his planned dance trip, plunging himself and bro Curtis into debt.

Speaking to MailOnline, AJ clarified the cash woes 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 trip was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers since, personally, I seemed like that was the ideal thing to do. We wound up with a barrel costs which came out of our own pocket.

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

'They certainly did appreciate it. I maybe didn't appreciate the financial obligation that I was left in but, hello, it's a decision that was made.'

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his buddies 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 stated: 'I think a lot of individuals expect you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and quickly 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 the majority of people don't actually wish to talk about their financial resources.

'And I believe individuals are fascinated by cash. People enjoy to see numbers and enjoy to see nice things, and a lot of times you require to live within your own ways.'

After leaving shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a variety of big cash deals and AJ states some individuals have no concept how to deal with that kind of amount of cash.

Former I'm A Celeb star AJ exposed he and Curtis 'wish to make a distinction' and have set up 'using our own cash' a financial investment company called FINT to assist to 'educate' individuals.

AJ became very open about how often the TV bookings and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars have to discover how to 'adapt' their profession.

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his buddies think 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 difficult I think in our market, the show business and a great deal of other industries today due to the fact that a great deal of people are being laid off. It does use your psychological health if you do not have that next task.

'Myself and Curtis have invested cash, from my really first salary on Strictly I've constantly had that cash invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn't have a task in 6 months time, I do have money there that I can draw on if I need it.

'And at the end of the day, there are always jobs out there. It's simply in some cases needing to change what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a little bit. Adapting is hard however you do need to adapt sometimes.

'It's important that individuals go into these huge shows that they're delighting in but they have a profession 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 confessed he is no various and is frequently snapped back into the 'real life' as he's seen the dramatic increase in daily items.

He discussed: '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 greater up than my income. That's the genuine world.

'I was like, 'What 10p more expensive from the other day to today', like that's insane. I believe 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 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 died with simply ₤ 879 in his company's company account

Despite drawing in an excellent ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately passed away with just ₤ 879 in his company'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 not traded for a long time and according to Companies House Records was dealing with an 'active proposition' to be struck off.

The company Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed practically ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, however owed creditors ₤ 15,000, implying 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 company had actually funnelled incomes from a 'large range of contracts to supply carrying out arts services within the media market', documents said.

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 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 concerned 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 program in 2013)

He also recalled one time he earned 'silly cash', informing This Is Money: 'My dance partner and I were as soon as 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 kept in mind in September 2022 that the 'best' year of his financial life was 2010, 'my first year on Strictly Come Dancing'.

He said: 'All of an abrupt, I was making money I had 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 efficiencies.

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

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin stated he became so 'bitter' about not being allowed to return that he couldn't bear to view it, and he went into a 'consistent decline' after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was significantly sacked by bosses in 2015 following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former celeb partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was as soon as considered a favourite amongst Strictly fans, however last year he was considerably sacked by bosses following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later on verified and regretted his actions against Zara.

Addressing his exit from the show, a 'ravaged' Di Prima composed on Instagram: 'I deeply are sorry for the events that resulted in 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 impacted my training regime.

'While appreciating the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it's just ideal for the sake of the program that I step away. I am distressed that I wasn't permitted to offer 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 talk about at this time, but I am devoted to being strong for my household and pals. I want the Strictly household absolutely nothing but success in the future.'

Following his departure from the program, 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 refer to himself as a 'expert 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 champ for two years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

Since then, she has appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and also earned a reported ₤ 200,000 charge for her stint on I'm A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! last year

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.

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

Since then, she has appeared as 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 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 established with her other half Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has actually listed assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its newest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money deal to team up with Bravissimo on a 'confidence improving' underwear variety, and she and hubby Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

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

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

Kevin Clifton

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

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn't constantly been easy, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his car while trying to start his carrying out career

Since leaving Strictly in 2020, Kevin Clifton has actually taken to the phase, carrying out in Strictly Ballroom, Rock of Ages and War of the Worlds.

His firm Supreme Dance stated ₤ 104,993 in its newest possessions with ₤ 42,234 remaining after costs.

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn't always been simple, revealing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his vehicle while attempting to kickstart his carrying out career, while juggling it with a workplace job.

Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he said: 'If there's no one there, I'll sleep in my automobile and after that I can manage two of my dance lessons tomorrow.

'I spent loads of time sleeping in my car - essentially living out of my automobile - 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 just getting fired from job after task - normal workplace tasks, just trying to sustain my dancer profession.

'I was basically looking in my wallet going, I have actually just been fired from another job. I've got four lessons tomorrow; I currently can't spend for two 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 offer you the cash on my next lesson." James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have capitalized their joint weight loss recently, setting up a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his other half 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 actually capitalized their joint weight reduction in current years, establishing a physical 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 because scaled down to a home more 'appropriate' 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 costs.