How Strictly s Popular Dancers Have Wound Up In Debt
For viewers tuning into BBC's megahit Strictly Come Dancing, they would be right in assuming that its stars must be earning a hefty fortune.
Whether it be the tireless hours of training, or being an on-screen component for weeks on end, the show's expert dancers have actually assisted make the series a captivating watch throughout the fall months.
However, while it has actually been presumed that Strictly specialists should make a quite cent, and years of success, through their time on the program, for most it's a completely different story.
Pros who have actually bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor recently have shared their struggles with piling financial obligations and cash woes, with some even dealing with the possibility of losing their homes.
Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff become the current stars to be hit by the infamous 'Strictly curse' after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the severe financial problems they had actually just recently experienced are believed to have been behind their split.
MailOnline peels back the shine behind Strictly stars' paychecks to reveal the fact about how for many, the cash stops as quickly as the ballroom lights go dark ...
Kristina Rihanoff
How Strictly's popular dancers have actually ended up in financial obligation - as Kristina Rihanoff's financial troubles are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (envisioned on the show in 2013)
Kristina formerly appeared on Strictly as a professional from 2008 to 2015, making headings when she started a love with her star partner Ben Cohen.
However, last year, the couple shared fears that they could lose their home after being struck by cash problems, with Ben laying bare their monetary troubles in court.
The extent of the couple's battles were laid bare in uncommon circumstances - throughout 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, admitted he had bungled the handling of their vehicle insurance plan and informed how he was 'battling to save his relationship and home'.
A friend of the couple informed the Mail he stated: 'The previous 6 months have actually been hell for them and it has torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their household, they have actually chosen to move forward as separate individuals.
'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 looks like there's no going back.'
The couple were entrusted crippling debts 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 automobiles and my house and my relationship. I'm so overdrawn.'
In 2015 the couple shared worries that they might lose their home after being hit by cash concerns, with Ben laying bare their monetary problems in court (pictured 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 company together so the problem 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 got an organization financial obligation because of Covid. It's just another issue.'
The business was noted to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, but the action was suspended 9 days later on and discontinued on April 28, 2023.
Records also 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 at a loss, considering future liabilities, in its last accounts for the period ending on July 31, 2020.
The business's represent the year ending in July 2021 have still not been submitted and are now nearly 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 company called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by 3 other people was also incorporated and willingly struck off on the exact same dates.
A fifth 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 also almost 29 months past due, according to Companies House records.
AJ Pritchard
AJ initially rose to popularity as an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply months before the Covid pandemic (visualized with Saffron Barker in 2019)
But AJ has considering that clarify the money concerns some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance tour was cancelled in 2020
AJ initially increased to popularity as an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show just months before the Covid pandemic.
While the star had formerly intended to kickstart a brand-new period of dance success by leaving the show, the pandemic required him to cancel his planned dance tour, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into debt.
Speaking to MailOnline, AJ clarified the cash concerns some Strictly stars can face after leaving the program.
He stated: 'We had a business where we were running our own trip and the trip was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers due to the fact that, personally, I felt like that was the right thing to do. We ended up with a barrel costs which came out of our own pocket.
'We didn't make money, myself or Curtis, however we paid all of our dancers. It's a difficult decision to be made, but that's what it is when you are running your own business.
'They certainly did appreciate it. I perhaps didn't appreciate the debt 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 think he's a 'millionaire' after starring on Strictly, nevertheless, he described that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he earns is nowhere near that.
The dancer said: 'I believe a great deal of people expect 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 favorable thing in this day and age, but many people do not really want to speak about their finances.
'And I believe individuals are intrigued by cash. People love to see numbers and like to see nice things, and a lot of times you require to live within your own ways.'
After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a variety of huge money offers and AJ states some people have no concept how to handle that kind of sum of cash.
Former I'm A Celebrity star AJ revealed he and Curtis 'want to make a distinction' and have established 'using our own money' a financial investment firm called FINT to help to 'educate' individuals.
AJ ended up being really open about how in some cases the TV bookings and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars need to learn how to 'adapt' their career.
AJ said it is hard when a lot of his pals 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 actually hard I think in our market, the entertainment industry and a lot of other markets right now because a great deal of individuals are being laid off. It does use your mental health if you do not have that next task.
'Myself and Curtis have actually invested money, from my extremely first pay check on Strictly I have actually always had that money 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 just in some cases having to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adjust a little bit. Adapting is difficult however you do have to adapt often.
'It is essential that people go into these big programs 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 dealing with the expense of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no various and is regularly snapped back into the 'real world' as he's discovered the dramatic increase in daily 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 expensive due to choices that have been made much greater up than my income. That's the real life.
'I resembled, 'What 10p more costly from the other day to today', like that's crazy. I think individuals forget, the cost of living and inflation's gone up.
'Even when inflation comes down, it does not imply that it goes back to what it was. Life is going to be tough for a lot of people this year and I do not think it's going to get any much easier.'
Robin Windsor
Despite pulling in an excellent ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically passed away with just ₤ 879 in his company's service account
Despite drawing in an excellent ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately died with simply ₤ 879 in his business'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 firm 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 nearly ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, however owed financial institutions ₤ 15,000, suggesting 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 business and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the business, which was repaid.
The business had actually channelled revenues from a 'wide variety of agreements to provide performing arts services within the media industry', documentation said.
In the months prior to his death, Robin had been dealing with a Fred Olsen Cruise - together with fellow Strictly professional Gordana Grandosek Whiddon - and posted images 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 firm had actually not traded for some time (envisioned on the program in 2013)
He likewise recalled one time he made 'ridiculous cash', informing This Is Money: 'My dance partner and I were once paid ₤ 10,000 each to remain in a high-end resort in Mauritius for a week and dance the cha-cha-cha at an occasion. Our dance lasted two minutes.'
He kept in mind in September 2022 that the 'finest' year of his financial life was 2010, 'my very first year on Strictly Come Dancing'.
He stated: 'All of a sudden, I was generating income I had actually only dreamt about. I most likely made about ₤ 100,000 that year - not just from Strictly however from work off the back of the show such as the trip and personal performances.
'When you're on prime-time TV, everyone desires a little slice of you.'
Speaking about his Strictly exit, Robin stated he ended up being so 'bitter' about not being allowed to return that he couldn't bear to view it, and he went into a 'stable decrease' after leaving the program.
Graziano Di Prima
Graziano was significantly sacked by managers in 2015 following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous celeb partner Zara McDermott
Following his departure from the program, Graziano tried to cash on his appearances on the show, with personalised video messages on Cameo
Graziano was when thought about a preferred amongst Strictly fans, however in 2015 he was drastically sacked by employers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous Zara McDermott.
The dancer later on verified and regretted his actions against Zara.
Addressing his exit from the program, a 'devastated' Di Prima composed on Instagram: 'I deeply regret the occasions that caused my departure from Strictly.
Strictly Come Dancing rich list: The expert dancers waltzing all the way to the bank after earning MILLIONS thanks to the show
'My intense enthusiasm and decision to win might have impacted my training routine.
'While appreciating the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it's just best for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn't allowed to provide a quote to the online newspaper article, and I take on board the level of 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 want the Strictly household absolutely nothing however success in the future.'
Following his departure from the show, Graziano tried 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 refer to himself as a 'professional dancer on Strictly' on his profile.
And the stars who have cashed in on their Strictly success ...
Oti Mabuse
For numerous fans, Oti is considered among Strictly's most successful exports, with the dancer crowned series champ for two years in a row, in 2019 and 2020
Ever since, she has appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice, and likewise earned a reported ₤ 200,000 cost 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 successful exports, with the dancer crowned series champion 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 considering that her exit has actually accumulated a big fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.
Ever since, 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, contributing to a rumoured fortune of more than ₤ 1.4 million.
Before joining the Strictly lineup, Oti also 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 spouse Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has actually noted assets of ₤ 510,953, according to its latest accounts.
In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money deal to team up with Bravissimo on a 'confidence improving' underwear range, and she and spouse Marius likewise share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.
Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in 4 private companies, which they co-own. consisting of the property company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in assets as of in 2015.
And Oti has just added to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I'm A Celeb 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 actually moneyed in with a string of stage functions
However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn't always been easy, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his car while attempting to kickstart his carrying out career
Since leaving Strictly in 2020, Kevin Clifton has 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 newest assets with ₤ 42,234 staying after bills.
However, the dancer has actually formerly shared that it hasn't constantly been easy, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his vehicle while trying to kickstart his carrying out career, while juggling it with an office job.
Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he stated: 'If there's no one there, I'll sleep in my cars and truck and then I can manage 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.
'I invested loads of time sleeping in my automobile - basically living out of my car - 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 task after job - regular workplace jobs, simply trying to sustain my dancer profession.
'I was basically looking in my wallet going, I've simply been fired from another job. I've got four lessons tomorrow; I currently can't spend for two of them.
'I'm going to have to blag it with the teacher and say," Oh, there's been a problem 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 cashed in on their joint weight loss in the last few years, establishing a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe
James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his partner Ola doing the same 2 years lateer.
James has actually appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, returned a couple of years later on for the All Stars variation and won Dancing On Ice in 2019.
The couple have actually capitalized their joint weight reduction in recent years, establishing a fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe.
The pair offered their Kent mansion for ₤ 2.5 million earlier this year and have actually considering that scaled down to a home more 'suitable' for their child Ella.
Much of their income is funnelled through their firm James and Ola Dance Academy which most recently had ₤ 774,023 in possessions and ₤ 465,002 after expenses.
They earn additional money by selling signed images for ₤ 9.50 while Ola uses dance lessons to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.
Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC