How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have Ended up In Debt
For viewers tuning into BBC’s megahit Strictly Come Dancing, they would be right in presuming that its stars need to be making a substantial fortune.
Whether it be the vigorous hours of training, or being an on-screen fixture for weeks on end, the show’s expert dancers have assisted make the series a fascinating watch throughout the fall months.
However, while it has actually been presumed that Strictly specialists should make a pretty cent, and years of success, through their time on the program, for many it’s a wholly various story.
Pros who have actually bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor over the last few years have actually shared their battles with piling financial obligations and money woes, with some even facing the prospect of losing their homes.
Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the most recent stars to be struck by the infamous ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the severe financial problems they had actually just recently experienced are thought to have been behind their split.
MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars’ paychecks to reveal the reality about how for many, the cash stops as quickly as the ballroom lights go dark …
Kristina Rihanoff
How Strictly’s popular dancers have actually wound up in financial obligation – as Kristina Rihanoff’s financial problems are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (pictured on the program in 2013)
Kristina formerly appeared on Strictly as an expert from 2008 to 2015, making headings when she started a love with her star partner Ben Cohen.
However, in 2015, the couple shared fears that they might lose their home after being struck by money problems, with Ben laying bare their monetary woes in court.
The level of the couple’s battles were laid bare in unusual scenarios – throughout a court look last September when Kristina, 47, was caught driving without insurance.
Giving proof during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, admitted he had mishandled the handling of their car insurance plan and told how he was ‘battling to conserve his relationship and home’.
A buddy of the couple informed the Mail he stated: ‘The previous 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 different people.
‘Those near to them who know them as a couple had hoped they would be able to work things out however for now it’s over and it looks like there’s no going back.’
The couple were left with debilitating debts after they tilled every cent they had into a yoga studio which plunged into crisis throughout the Covid pandemic.
In a tortuously frank admission Ben told the court: ‘I get up every day and I fight not to lose whatever – to lose my automobiles and my house and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’
Last year the couple shared fears that they could lose their home after being struck by cash woes, with Ben laying bare their financial woes in court (visualized in 2021)
When questioned about the stress on his and Kristina’s relationship, he said: ‘We’re still living together. We remain in it economically.
‘We’re in service together so the issue is that we opened business before Covid and we got the worst seriousness of it and in all honestly this is just 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 since of Covid. It’s simply another problem.’
The business was listed to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, however the action was suspended 9 days later and ceased on April 28, 2023.
Records also reveal that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 percent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was efficiently ₤ 6,633 at a loss, considering future liabilities, in its last represent the duration ending on July 31, 2020.
The business’s represent the year ending in July 2021 have still not been submitted 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 4th company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other individuals was also incorporated and voluntarily struck off on the very same dates.
A 5th company called Yoga Wellbeing which is 100 percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 at a loss, taking into account 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 a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show simply months before the Covid pandemic (pictured with Saffron Barker in 2019)
But AJ has because clarify the cash problems some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into debt when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020
AJ first rose to popularity as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic.
While the star had actually previously wanted to start a new era of dance success by departing the show, the pandemic forced him to cancel his planned dance trip, plunging himself and bro Curtis into debt.
Speaking to MailOnline, AJ shed light on the money 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 felt like that was the right thing to do. We wound up with a VAT costs 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 hard choice to be made, however that’s what it is when you are running your own company.
‘They definitely did appreciate it. I maybe didn’t value the financial obligation that I was left in but, hello, it’s a decision that was made.’
AJ stated it is hard when a great deal of his friends believe he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, nevertheless, he described that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he makes 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 instantly 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 transparency is a positive thing in this day and age, however many people do not really desire to discuss their finances.
‘And I think individuals are fascinated by money. People enjoy to see numbers and enjoy to see good things, and a lot 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 variety of big money deals and AJ states some individuals have no concept how to deal with that sort of amount of money.
Former I’m A Celeb star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘desire to make a distinction’ and have set up ‘utilizing our own money’ a monetary investment business called FINT to help to ‘inform’ individuals.
AJ ended up being really open about how often the TV bookings and photoshoots can suddenly stop and stars need to discover 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 think in our industry, the show business and a great deal of other industries today due to the fact that a great deal of individuals are being laid off. It does play on your mental health if you don’t have that next task.
‘Myself and Curtis have invested money, from my very first pay check on Strictly I have actually always had that money invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t work 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 just sometimes having to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adjust a little bit. Adapting is difficult but you do need to adjust often.
‘It is essential that people enter into these huge programs that they’re taking pleasure in however 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, individuals are dealing with the expense of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no various and is frequently snapped back into the ‘genuine world’ as he’s noticed the dramatic boost in everyday items.
He discussed: ‘Each and 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 income. That’s the real world.
‘I resembled, ‘What 10p more costly from yesterday to today’, like that’s crazy. I think individuals forget, the expense of living and inflation’s gone up.
‘Even when inflation boils down, it doesn’t mean that it returns to what it was. Life is going to be hard for a lot of individuals this year and I do not think it’s going to get any easier.’
Robin Windsor
Despite pulling in an ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically died with simply ₤ 879 in his business’s company account
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.
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 owed practically ₤ 5,000 the last time it filed accounts, however 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 paid back.
The business had carried earnings from a ‘wide array of contracts to offer carrying out arts services within the media industry’, paperwork said.
In the months prior to his death, Robin had actually been dealing with a Fred Olsen Cruise – alongside fellow Strictly professional Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and published 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 found dead in a London hotel in February, and in the wake of his passing it was exposed his company had not traded for a long time (imagined on the program in 2013)
He also remembered one time he earned ‘silly money’, informing This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were when paid ₤ 10,000 each to stay in a high-end 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 ‘finest’ year of his monetary life was 2010, ‘my first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.
He stated: ‘Suddenly, I was generating income I had 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 tour and private efficiencies.
‘When you’re on prime-time TV, everybody wants a little slice of you.’
Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin stated he became so ‘bitter’ about not being permitted to return that he couldn’t bear to view it, and he entered into a ‘stable decline’ after leaving the show.
Graziano Di Prima
Graziano was drastically sacked by bosses in 2015 following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former celeb partner Zara McDermott
Following his departure from the program, Graziano tried to cash on his appearances on the program, with personalised video messages on Cameo
Graziano was as soon as considered a preferred amongst Strictly fans, however last year he was considerably sacked by managers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his former superstar partner Zara McDermott.
The dancer later on confirmed and regretted his actions versus Zara.
Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘devastated’ Di Prima composed on Instagram: ‘I deeply regret the occasions that led to my departure from Strictly.
Strictly Come Dancing abundant list: The professional dancers waltzing all the way to the bank after earning MILLIONS thanks to the show
‘My extreme enthusiasm and decision to win may have impacted my training regime.
‘While respecting the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s only best for the sake of the program that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t enabled to offer a quote to the online newspaper article, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation.
‘There’s more to this story that I am not able to talk about at this time, but I am devoted to being strong for my family and good friends. I wish the Strictly household nothing however success in the future.’
Following his departure from the program, Graziano tried to cash on his appearances on the program, with personalised 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 capitalized 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
Ever since, she has actually looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and also earned a reported ₤ 200,000 cost for her stint on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! last year
For numerous fans, Oti is thought about one of 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 salary before she left the program in 2022, and given that her exit has generated a substantial fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.
Since then, she has actually looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and was likewise a panellist on The Masked Dancer, and BBC’s The Greatest 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 listed as a director of Pure Mabuse Limited, which she set up with her spouse Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has noted assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its most recent accounts.
In 2022, Oti also signed a big-money deal to work together with Bravissimo on a ‘confidence boosting’ underwear range, and she and hubby Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.
Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of properties in four private business, which they co-own. consisting of the home company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in assets as of last year.
And Oti has actually only included to her fortune in current months by appearing on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! where she was apparently 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 moneyed in with a string of stage functions
However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn’t always been easy, revealing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his cars and truck while attempting to start his performing profession
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 declared ₤ 104,993 in its most current properties with ₤ 42,234 remaining after expenses.
However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t always been easy, exposing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his car while trying to start his carrying out profession, while handling 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 car and after that I can afford 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.
‘I spent loads of time oversleeping my vehicle – essentially living out of my car – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People think we live these easy, showbiz, glamorous lives and it’s not like that.
‘There’s been times where I was simply getting fired from task after job – regular office jobs, just attempting to sustain my dancer profession.
‘I was generally looking in my wallet going, I have actually simply been fired from another job. I have actually got four lessons tomorrow; I already can’t spend for 2 of them.
‘I’m going to need to blag it with the instructor and say,” Oh, there’s been an issue at the bank. I’m going to have to offer you the cash on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan
Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually cashed in on their joint weight reduction recently, setting up a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe
James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his wife Ola doing the same two years lateer.
James has appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, returned a couple of years later for the All Stars variation and won Dancing On Ice in 2019.
The couple have capitalized their joint weight loss recently, setting up a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe.
The pair sold their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have given that 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 bills.
They make additional cash by selling signed images for ₤ 9.50 while Ola provides dance lessons to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.
Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC