Something About Company

How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Wound Up In Debt

For audiences tuning into BBC’s megahit Strictly Come Dancing, they would be ideal in assuming that its stars must be making a significant fortune.

Whether it be the determined hours of training, or being an on-screen component for weeks on end, the show’s expert dancers have actually helped make the series a fascinating watch throughout the fall months.

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

Pros who have bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor in current years have shared their struggles with stacking debts and cash issues, with some even facing the of losing their homes.

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

MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly stars’ incomes to expose the reality about how for many, the cash stops as soon as the ballroom lights go dark …

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly’s popular dancers have ended up in financial obligation – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial difficulties are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (imagined on the program in 2013)

Kristina formerly appeared on Strictly as an expert from 2008 to 2015, making headlines 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 struck by cash concerns, with Ben laying bare their financial woes in court.

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

Giving proof throughout the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, confessed he had made a mess of the handling of their automobile insurance coverage policy and told how he was ‘battling to conserve his relationship and home’.

A pal of the couple informed the Mail he stated: ‘The past 6 months have actually been hell for them and it has torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their family, they have actually chosen to go forward as separate people.

‘Those near to them who know them as a couple had actually 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 to crippling financial obligations 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 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.’

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

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

‘We stay in business together so the issue is that we opened the 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’ve got credit cards that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have actually got a business debt due to the fact that of Covid. It’s simply another problem.’

The business was noted to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, however the action was suspended 9 days later 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 in the red, 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 past due.

Another company 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 also included and voluntarily 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, 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 first rose to fame as a contestant 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 because 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 fame 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 formerly wanted to start a new period of dance success by departing the program, the pandemic forced him to cancel his scheduled dance trip, plunging himself and bro Curtis into debt.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ shed light on the money issues some Strictly stars can deal with after leaving the show.

He stated: ‘We had a company 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 best thing to do. We ended up with a VAT expense 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 choice to be made, however that’s what it is when you are running your own business.

‘They definitely did value it. I possibly didn’t value the debt that I was left in however, hi, it’s a choice that was made.’

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

The dancer said: ‘I think a lot of people anticipate you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and immediately be a millionaire. Once you’ve paid your tax and your VAT, and if you’re a restricted business, that’s not even close.

‘I believe openness is a positive thing in this day and age, however many people don’t actually wish to talk about their finances.

‘And I think people are interested by money. People enjoy to see numbers and love 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 huge money offers and AJ says some people have no concept how to handle that type of amount of money.

Former I’m A Celeb star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a difference’ and have actually established ‘utilizing our own cash’ a monetary investment firm called FINT to assist to ‘educate’ people.

AJ became very open about how often the TV reservations and photoshoots can suddenly stop and stars need to find out how to ‘adjust’ their career.

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his good friends think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, as after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he makes is no place near that

He continued: ‘It’s truly tough I think in our industry, the show business and a great deal of other markets right now because a great deal 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 invested money, from my extremely first salary on Strictly I have actually always had that cash invested into different 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 constantly tasks out there. It’s simply often needing to alter what it is you believe you are going to do and adjust a little bit. Adapting is hard however you do need to adapt in some cases.

‘It is essential that people go into these big shows that they’re taking pleasure 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, individuals are facing the cost of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no various and is regularly snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s noticed the remarkable boost in everyday items.

He explained: ‘Every single day I’m brought back to truth. I brought up at the fuel pump today and the diesel was 10p more costly due to decisions that have been made much higher up than my income. That’s the real world.

‘I was like, ‘What 10p more costly from yesterday to today’, like that’s insane. I think individuals forget, the expense of living and inflation’s gone up.

‘Even when inflation boils down, it doesn’t imply that it returns 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 much easier.’

Robin Windsor

Despite drawing in an impressive ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately died with simply ₤ 879 in his company’s organization account

Despite pulling in an outstanding ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately died with simply ₤ 879 in his business’s company account.

The dancer was discovered 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 some time and according to Companies House Records was facing an ‘active proposal’ to be struck off.

The company Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed almost ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, however 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 company and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the business, which was repaid.

The company had transported earnings from a ‘wide array of agreements to supply performing arts services within the media industry’, documents stated.

In the months prior to his death, Robin had been working on a Fred Olsen Cruise – along with 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 during his time on Strictly which pertained to 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 (envisioned on the program in 2013)

He likewise remembered one time he made ‘silly cash’, informing This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were as soon as 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 first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He stated: ‘Suddenly, I was making money I had actually just 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 trip and personal efficiencies.

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

Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin stated he became so ‘bitter’ about not being enabled to return that he couldn’t bear to watch it, and he went into a ‘stable decline’ after leaving the show.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was drastically sacked by employers in 2015 following claims of gross misconduct towards his former celebrity partner Zara McDermott

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

Graziano was as soon as considered a preferred among Strictly fans, however in 2015 he was dramatically sacked by managers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former superstar partner Zara McDermott.

The dancer later verified and regretted his actions against Zara.

Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘devastated’ Di Prima wrote on Instagram: ‘I deeply regret the events that caused 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 program

‘My intense enthusiasm and decision to win might have impacted my training program.

‘While appreciating the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s only best 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 news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the scenario.

‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to talk about at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my friends and family. I wish the Strictly family absolutely nothing however 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 describe himself as a ‘professional dancer on Strictly’ on his profile.

And the stars who have actually cashed in on their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

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

Since then, she has actually looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and likewise made a reported ₤ 200,000 charge for her stint on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015

For numerous fans, Oti is considered one of Strictly’s most effective 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 salary before she left the program in 2022, and given that her exit has actually collected a huge fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.

Since then, she has appeared as 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 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 established with her partner Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has listed possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its newest accounts.

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

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in four personal companies, which they co-own. including the residential or commercial property firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in properties as of in 2015.

And Oti has only contributed to her fortune in current months by appearing on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! where she was apparently paid a ₤ 200,000 charge.

Kevin Clifton

Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champ in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the show in 2020, has moneyed in with a string of stage roles

However, the dancer has previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been easy, revealing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his car while trying to kickstart his performing profession

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 firm Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its newest possessions with ₤ 42,234 remaining after bills.

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t always been simple, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his vehicle while trying to kickstart his performing profession, 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 cars and truck and after that I can afford two of my dance lessons tomorrow.

‘I spent loads of time sleeping in my vehicle – generally living out of my vehicle – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People believe we live these simple, showbiz, attractive 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 career.

‘I was essentially looking in my wallet going, I have actually simply been fired from another job. I’ve got 4 lessons tomorrow; I currently can’t spend for two of them.

‘I’m going to have to blag it with the teacher and state,” Oh, there’s been an issue 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 capitalized their joint weight loss in current 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 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 variation and won Dancing On Ice in 2019.

The couple have capitalized 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.

The pair offered their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have 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 assets and ₤ 465,002 after expenses.