29sixservices

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 presuming that its stars should be making a substantial fortune.

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

However, while it has actually been assumed that Strictly experts need to earn a quite penny, and years of success, through their time on the program, for the majority of it’s a wholly different story.

Pros who have actually bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor over the last few years have shared their struggles with stacking debts and cash concerns, with some even facing the possibility of losing their homes.

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

MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ incomes to reveal the truth 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 debt – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial problems 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 headings when she began a love with her celeb partner Ben Cohen.

However, in 2015, the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being struck by cash issues, with Ben laying bare their monetary issues in court.

The extent of the couple’s struggles were laid bare in unusual circumstances – during a court look last September when Kristina, 47, was caught driving without insurance.

Giving proof throughout the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, confessed he had actually mishandled the handling of their car insurance coverage and told how he was ‘combating to conserve his relationship and home’.

A good friend of the couple told the Mail he said: ‘The past 6 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 chosen to go forward as separate people.

‘Those close 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 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 told 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.’

In 2015 the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being struck by money woes, with Ben laying bare their financial concerns in court (visualized in 2021)

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

‘We’re in service together so the problem is that we opened business before Covid and we got the worst intensities 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 actually got an organization financial obligation because 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 business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was successfully ₤ 6,633 in the red, considering future liabilities, in its last accounts for the duration 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 company called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is also owned by the Soo Yoga Group, was established in December 2021 and dissolved by a voluntary strike off in February this year without ever filing accounts.

A 4th company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other individuals was likewise incorporated and willingly struck off on the exact same dates.

A fifth company called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred 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 almost 29 months past due, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ first rose to fame as a candidate on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply months before the Covid pandemic (envisioned with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has given that clarify the cash concerns some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into debt when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020

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

While the star had actually formerly intended to start a new period of dance success by leaving the program, the pandemic required him to cancel his scheduled dance tour, plunging himself and brother Curtis into financial obligation.

Speaking to MailOnline, AJ shed light on the money troubles some Strictly stars can face 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 due to the fact that, personally, I seemed like that was the right thing to do. We ended up with a VAT bill which came out of our own pocket.

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

‘They absolutely did appreciate it. I possibly didn’t value the financial obligation that I was left in however, hey, it’s a choice that was made.’

AJ said it is hard when a great deal of his pals believe he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, nevertheless, he discussed 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 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 limited company, that’s not even close.

‘I believe openness is a positive thing in this day and age, but the majority of people don’t truly desire to discuss their finances.

‘And I think individuals are intrigued by cash. People like to see numbers and enjoy to see good things, and a great deal 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 variety of huge money offers and AJ says some individuals have no idea how to handle that type of amount of money.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘want to make a difference’ and have actually established ‘utilizing our own money’ a financial investment business called FINT to help to ‘inform’ individuals.

AJ became really open about how often the TV reservations and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars have to find out how to ‘adjust’ their profession.

AJ stated it is hard when a great deal of his buddies 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 truly hard I think in our market, the home entertainment market and a lot of other industries today because a great deal of individuals are being laid off. It does play on your psychological health if you don’t have that next task.

‘Myself and Curtis have invested cash, from my extremely first pay check on Strictly I have actually always had that cash invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a task in 6 months time, I do have cash 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 just sometimes needing to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a bit. Adapting is hard but you do need to adjust sometimes.

‘It is necessary that individuals enter into these huge programs that they’re enjoying however they have a profession behind them like myself and Curt. We’re both professional dancers, we can go all over the world and teach.’

Every day, people are facing the expense of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no different and is regularly snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s noticed the remarkable increase in everyday products.

He explained: ‘Each and 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 actually been made much greater up than my income. That’s the real life.

‘I was like, ‘What 10p more expensive from the other day to today’, like that’s crazy. I think people forget, the cost of living and inflation’s increased.

‘Even when inflation comes down, it doesn’t suggest that it returns to what it was. Life is going to be difficult for a lot of people this year and I don’t think it’s going to get any easier.’

Robin Windsor

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

Despite pulling in an excellent ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately passed away with simply ₤ 879 in his company’s service account.

The dancer was discovered dead in a London hotel in February in 2015, 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 dealing with an ‘active proposal’ to be struck off.

The company Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed practically ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, but owed financial institutions ₤ 15,000, 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 company and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the company, which was repaid.

The business had transported incomes from a ‘wide array of agreements to provide carrying out arts services within the media industry’, documentation stated.

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

Robin previously informed 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 found dead in a London hotel in February, and in the wake of his passing it was revealed his firm had not traded for a long time (pictured on the show in 2013)

He likewise recalled one time he earned ‘silly money’, telling 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 occasion. Our dance lasted 2 minutes.’

He remembered in September 2022 that the ‘best’ year of his financial life was 2010, ‘my 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 but from work off the back of the program 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 enjoy it, and he entered into a ‘stable decrease’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was significantly sacked by managers in 2015 following claims of gross misconduct towards his former superstar 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 once considered a preferred among Strictly fans, however in 2015 he was considerably sacked by bosses following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott.

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

Addressing his exit from the program, a ‘devastated’ Di Prima composed on Instagram: ‘I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly.

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

‘My intense passion and decision to win might have affected my training program.

‘While appreciating the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s only best for the sake of the show that I step away. I am distressed 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 unable to talk about at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my friends and family. I wish the Strictly household nothing however success in the future.’

Following his departure from the show, Graziano attempted to cash on his looks on the show, with personalised 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 lots of fans, Oti is considered among Strictly’s most effective exports, with the dancer crowned series champ for two years in a row, in 2019 and 2020

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

For lots of 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 income before she left the show in 2022, and given that her exit has amassed 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 best 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 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 noted properties of ₤ 510,953, according to its newest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money deal to collaborate with Bravissimo on a ‘self-confidence boosting’ underwear range, and she and hubby Marius likewise share a ₤ 590,000 London mansion.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of possessions in four private companies, which they co-own. consisting of the home firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in assets as of last year.

And Oti has only added to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Celebrity 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 stage functions

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his automobile while attempting to start his performing career

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

His firm Supreme Dance stated ₤ 104,993 in its latest properties with ₤ 42,234 remaining after expenses.

However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t always been easy, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his automobile while trying to kickstart his performing career, while juggling it with an office job.

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

‘I spent loads of time oversleeping my automobile – basically living out of my vehicle – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People believe 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 job – typical office tasks, simply trying to sustain my dancer profession.

‘I was generally searching in my wallet going, I’ve simply been fired from another task. I’ve got 4 lessons tomorrow; I already can’t spend for two of them.

‘I’m going to have to blag it with the instructor and state,” Oh, there’s been a problem at the bank. I’m going to need to provide you the money 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 physical fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his better half Ola following match two 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 actually cashed in on their joint weight-loss over the last few years, establishing a physical fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe.

The set offered their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have actually because downsized to a home more ‘appropriate’ for their child Ella.

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

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

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC