Something About Company

How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have actually Ended up In Debt

For audiences 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 vigorous hours of training, or being an on-screen component for weeks on end, the program’s professional dancers have assisted make the series a captivating watch throughout the fall months.

However, while it has been presumed that Strictly specialists must make a quite penny, and years of success, through their time on the program, for a lot of it’s a wholly different story.

Pros who have bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor in recent years have actually shared their struggles with stacking financial obligations and money concerns, with some even facing the possibility of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the newest stars to be hit by the notorious ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the severe monetary problems they had actually just recently experienced are believed to have actually lagged their split.

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ paychecks to expose the reality about how for lots of, 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 (imagined on the program in 2013)

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

However, last year, the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being struck by money troubles, with Ben laying bare their financial issues in court.

The degree of the couple’s struggles were laid bare in uncommon scenarios – during a court appearance last September when Kristina, 47, was caught driving without insurance.

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

A pal 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 household, they have selected to go forward as separate people.

‘Those near to them who understand them as a couple had 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 to crippling debts after they tilled every cent 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 everything – to lose my automobiles and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

In 2015 the couple shared fears that they might lose their home after being hit by money woes, with Ben laying bare their financial woes in court (pictured in 2021)

When questioned about the stress on his and Kristina’s relationship, he said: ‘We’re still cohabiting. We remain in it economically.

‘We’re in service together so the problem is that we opened business before Covid and we got the worst seriousness of it and in all honestly this is simply another problem for me to handle.

‘I’ve got charge card that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have got an organization financial obligation since of Covid. It’s just another issue.’

The company was listed to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, however the action was suspended nine days later on and discontinued 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 consideration 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 actually still not been submitted and are now nearly 29 months past due.

Another business called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is also 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 company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other individuals was also included and willingly struck off on the very same dates.

A fifth company 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 also nearly 29 months overdue, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

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

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

AJ initially rose to popularity as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had actually previously hoped to kickstart a new period of dance success by leaving the show, the pandemic forced him to cancel his organized dance tour, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into debt.

Speaking with MailOnline, AJ clarified the cash concerns some Strictly stars can face after leaving the show.

He stated: ‘We had a company where we were running our own tour and the trip was cut brief. We paid all of our dancers due to the fact that, personally, I felt like that was the ideal thing to do. We ended up with a VAT expense which came out of our own pocket.

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

‘They absolutely did appreciate it. I maybe didn’t appreciate the debt that I was left in however, hey, it’s a decision that was made.’

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

The dancer stated: ‘I think a great deal of people anticipate you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and quickly 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 think transparency is a positive thing in this day and age, however the majority of individuals don’t actually wish to discuss their finances.

‘And I believe individuals are captivated by cash. People like to see numbers and like to see great things, and a great deal of times you need to live within your own methods.’

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

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘want to make a distinction’ and have actually set up ‘utilizing our own money’ a monetary investment company called FINT to help to ‘inform’ individuals.

AJ became really open about how sometimes the TV bookings and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars need to find out how to ‘adapt’ 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 earns is nowhere near that

He continued: ‘It’s actually hard I believe in our industry, the home entertainment market and a great deal of other industries today because a great deal of individuals are being laid off. It does play on your psychological health if you do not have that next job.

‘Myself and Curtis have actually invested cash, from my extremely first salary on Strictly I’ve always had that money invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a task in six months time, I do have money 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 just sometimes needing to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adjust a bit. Adapting is difficult however you do have to adapt sometimes.

‘It’s crucial 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 various and is routinely snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s noticed the dramatic increase in daily items.

He discussed: ‘Every single day I’m brought back to truth. I pulled up at the fuel pump today and the diesel was 10p more expensive due to choices that have been made much greater up than my paycheck. That’s the real world.

‘I resembled, ‘What 10p more pricey from yesterday to today’, like that’s crazy. I believe individuals forget, the cost of living and inflation’s gone up.

‘Even when inflation comes down, it does not suggest that it goes back to what it was. Life is going to be hard for a great deal of people 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 passed away with simply ₤ 879 in his business’s business account

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.

The dancer was found dead in a London hotel in February in 2015, and in the wake of his passing it was exposed his company had actually not traded for some time and according to Companies House Records was dealing with an ‘active proposition’ to be struck off.

The company Happy Feet Creative Limited was ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, but owed financial institutions ₤ 15,000, meaning 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 company and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the business, which was paid back.

The company had actually carried earnings from a ‘variety of contracts to supply carrying out arts services within the media market’, documents stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had actually been dealing with a Fred Olsen Cruise – along with fellow Strictly expert Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and posted images of himself when the boat docked in South Africa.

Robin formerly 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 some time (envisioned on the show in 2013)

He likewise recalled one time he earned ‘ridiculous money’, telling This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were when paid ₤ 10,000 each to remain in a luxury resort in Mauritius for a week and dance the cha-cha-cha at an occasion. Our dance lasted two minutes.’

He remembered in September 2022 that the ‘best’ year of his monetary life was 2010, ‘my very first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He stated: ‘Suddenly, I was generating income I had actually only dreamt about. I most likely made about ₤ 100,000 that year – not simply from Strictly however 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 piece of you.’

Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin said he became so ‘bitter’ about not being allowed to return that he could not bear to see it, and he entered into a ‘stable decline’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was drastically sacked by employers in 2015 following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott

Following his departure from the show, Graziano attempted to cash on his appearances on the show, with customised video messages on Cameo

Graziano was when considered a favourite amongst Strictly fans, but in 2015 he was drastically sacked by employers following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous celeb partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later on verified and regretted his actions versus 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 rich list: The expert dancers waltzing all the way to the bank after making MILLIONS thanks to the show

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

‘While respecting the BBC HR procedure, 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 offer 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 unable to talk about at this time, but I am dedicated 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 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 refer to himself as a ‘expert dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have actually capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

For numerous fans, Oti is thought about among Strictly’s most effective exports, with the dancer crowned series champ for 2 years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

Since then, she has actually looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and also made a reported ₤ 200,000 fee for her stint on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! last year

For numerous fans, Oti is thought about among Strictly’s most successful exports, with the dancer crowned series champ 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 collected a huge fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Since then, she has actually appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was likewise 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 likewise worked as an expert dancer on Strictly’s German equivalent, Let’s Dance.

Oti is noted as a director of Pure Mabuse Limited, which she set up with her other half Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has actually noted possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.

In 2022, Oti also signed a big-money offer to collaborate with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence boosting’ underclothing variety, and she and partner Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of possessions in 4 personal companies, which they co-own. including the property company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in properties as of last year.

And Oti has only contributed to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! where she was reportedly 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 cashed in with a string of phase roles

However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn’t always been easy, revealing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his cars and truck while trying to start his performing profession

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

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t always been simple, revealing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his car while trying to kickstart his carrying out profession, while handling it with an office job.

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 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I spent loads of time sleeping in my cars and truck – basically living out of my cars and truck – 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 job – regular workplace jobs, just attempting to sustain my dancer career.

‘I was essentially looking in my wallet going, I have actually simply been fired from another job. I’ve got four lessons tomorrow; I currently can’t pay for 2 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 cash on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually cashed in on their joint weight loss recently, setting up a 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 following fit 2 years lateer.

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

The couple have actually cashed in on their joint weight loss in current years, establishing a fitness website 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 because downsized to a home more ‘ideal’ for their child Ella.

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

They earn extra cash by selling signed images for ₤ 9.50 while Ola uses dance lessons to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.