For viewers 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 component for weeks on end, the program’s professional dancers have actually assisted make the series a fascinating watch throughout the autumn months.
However, while it has actually been assumed that Strictly specialists need to earn a quite penny, and years of success, through their time on the show, for most it’s a wholly various story.
Pros who have bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor in current years have actually shared their battles with stacking financial obligations and cash issues, with some even dealing with the of losing their homes.
Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the most recent stars to be hit by the notorious ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then revealed it was the severe monetary problems they had just recently experienced are thought to have lagged their split.
MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly stars’ paychecks to reveal the reality about how for lots of, the cash stops as soon 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 troubles are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (visualized on the program in 2013)
Kristina previously appeared on Strictly as a professional from 2008 to 2015, making headings when she started a romance with her star partner Ben Cohen.
However, last year, the couple shared fears that they could lose their home after being struck by money issues, with Ben laying bare their financial woes in court.
The level of the couple’s struggles were laid bare in uncommon circumstances – throughout a court appearance last September when Kristina, 47, was captured driving without insurance.
Giving evidence throughout the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, admitted he had bungled the handling of their car insurance coverage and told how he was ‘fighting to conserve his relationship and home’.
A pal of the couple told the Mail he said: ‘The previous six months have actually been hell for them and it has actually torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their family, they have actually selected to move forward as different individuals.
‘Those near 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 looks like there’s no going back.’
The couple were entrusted to crippling financial obligations 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 everything – to lose my cars and trucks and my house and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’
In 2015 the couple shared worries that they could lose their home after being hit by cash problems, with Ben laying bare their financial troubles in court (visualized in 2021)
When questioned about the strains on his and Kristina’s relationship, he said: ‘We’re still cohabiting. We’re in it economically.
‘We stay in business 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 issue 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 due to the fact that of Covid. It’s simply another issue.’
The business was listed to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, however the action was suspended 9 days later on and terminated on April 28, 2023.
Records likewise expose that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 percent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was efficiently ₤ 6,633 in the red, 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 actually still not been filed 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 set up 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 people was also integrated and willingly struck off on the exact same dates.
A 5th company called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 in the red, considering future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are likewise nearly 29 months past due, according to Companies House records.
AJ Pritchard
AJ initially rose to fame as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show just months before the Covid pandemic (visualized with Saffron Barker in 2019)
But AJ has since shed light on the cash troubles 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 fame as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply months before the Covid pandemic.
While the star had actually previously wished to start a new era of dance success by leaving the show, the pandemic forced him to cancel his scheduled dance trip, plunging himself and brother Curtis into debt.
Speaking with MailOnline, AJ shed light on the cash problems some Strictly stars can face after leaving the program.
He said: ‘We had a business where we were running our own tour and the tour was interrupted. We paid all of our dancers because, personally, I seemed like that was the ideal thing to do. We wound up with a barrel 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 hard decision to be made, but that’s what it is when you are running your own business.
‘They absolutely did appreciate it. I possibly didn’t appreciate the debt that I was left in but, hey, it’s a choice that was made.’
AJ stated it is hard when a great deal of his good friends think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, nevertheless, he discussed that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he makes is no place near that.
The dancer said: ‘I believe a lot of people expect you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and immediately 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 think 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 individuals are intrigued by cash. People love to see numbers and like to see good things, and a lot of times you need to live within your own methods.’
After leaving programs such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a number of big cash deals and AJ states some individuals have no idea how to deal with that type of sum of cash.
Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ revealed he and Curtis ‘wish to make a distinction’ and have actually set up ‘utilizing our own money’ a monetary investment firm called FINT to help to ‘educate’ people.
AJ became extremely open about how sometimes the TV bookings and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars have to discover how to ‘adjust’ their career.
AJ said 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 makes is no place near that
He continued: ‘It’s really tough I believe in our industry, the home entertainment industry and a great deal of other industries right now since a great deal of people 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 money, from my very first pay check on Strictly I’ve constantly had actually that money invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a job in six months time, I do have cash there that I can make use of if I require it.
‘And at the end of the day, there are always jobs out there. It’s just often needing to alter what it is you believe you are going to do and adapt a little bit. Adapting is tough however you do need to adapt often.
‘It is necessary that individuals enter into these big programs that they’re delighting in but 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 dealing with the expense of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no different and is frequently snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s noticed the remarkable boost in everyday products.
He explained: ‘Each and every single day I’m brought back to truth. I pulled up at the petrol pump today and the diesel was 10p more pricey due to decisions that have been made much higher up than my paycheck. That’s the real world.
‘I resembled, ‘What 10p more pricey from yesterday to today’, like that’s insane. I believe people forget, the expense 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 tough for a great deal of individuals this year and I do not believe it’s going to get any easier.’
Robin Windsor
Despite pulling in an outstanding ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically passed away with simply ₤ 879 in his company’s service account
Despite pulling in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically passed away with just ₤ 879 in his company’s business account.
The dancer was found dead in a London hotel in February last year, and in the wake of his passing it was exposed his company had actually not traded for a long time and according to Companies House Records was facing an ‘active proposition’ to be struck off.
The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed practically ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, but owed lenders ₤ 15,000, meaning 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 paid back.
The company had funnelled profits from a ‘wide range of agreements to offer carrying out arts services within the media industry’, documents stated.
In the months prior to his death, Robin had actually 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 throughout his time on Strictly which came 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 actually not traded for some time (imagined on the show in 2013)
He also recalled one time he earned ‘silly money’, informing This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were as soon as paid ₤ 10,000 each to remain in a high-end resort in Mauritius for a week and dance the cha-cha-cha at an event. Our dance lasted 2 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: ‘All of an abrupt, 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 program such as the trip and private efficiencies.
‘When you’re on prime-time TV, everyone wants a little slice of you.’
Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin said he became so ‘bitter’ about not being allowed to return that he could not bear to watch it, and he went into a ‘steady decrease’ after leaving the show.
Graziano Di Prima
Graziano was significantly sacked by bosses last year following claims of gross misconduct towards his former celeb 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 thought about a favourite amongst Strictly fans, but last year he was drastically sacked by employers following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous celeb partner Zara McDermott.
The dancer later on validated and regretted his actions against Zara.
Addressing his exit from the program, a ‘ravaged’ Di Prima composed on Instagram: ‘I deeply are sorry for the occasions 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 show
‘My extreme enthusiasm and decision to win might have impacted my training routine.
‘While appreciating the BBC HR procedure, I acknowledge it’s only best for the sake of the program that I step away. I am distressed that I wasn’t allowed to offer a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the level of sensitivity of the circumstance.
‘There’s more to this story that I am not able to talk about at this time, however I am committed to being strong for my family and pals. I want the Strictly household nothing however success in the future.’
Following his departure from the program, 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 lots of fans, Oti is considered one of 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 looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and likewise earned a reported ₤ 200,000 fee for her stint on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015
For many 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.
The dancer was reported to be on a ₤ 410,000 salary before she left the program in 2022, and since her exit has actually collected a big fortune with a string of effective TV gigs.
Since then, she has looked like 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 also worked as a professional 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 partner 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 likewise signed a big-money deal to team up with Bravissimo on a ‘self-confidence enhancing’ underwear range, and she and partner Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London mansion.
Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of possessions in 4 private business, which they co-own. consisting of the home firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in possessions as of in 2015.
And Oti has only contributed to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! where she was apparently paid a ₤ 200,000 fee.
Kevin Clifton
Kevin Clifton was crowned Strictly champion in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, and after leaving the show in 2020, has cashed 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 automobile while trying to kickstart 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 firm Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its most current possessions with ₤ 42,234 staying after expenses.
However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his cars and truck while trying to start his performing career, while handling it with a workplace task.
Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he stated: ‘If there’s nobody there, I’ll oversleep my automobile and after that I can pay for 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.
‘I invested loads of time sleeping in my car – basically living out of my cars and truck – 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 just getting fired from task after task – normal workplace tasks, just trying to sustain my dancer profession.
‘I was essentially looking in my wallet going, I’ve just been fired from another job. I have actually got four lessons tomorrow; I currently can’t pay 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 have to give you the cash on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan
Business: James and Ola Jordan have cashed in on their joint weight reduction in recent years, establishing a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe
James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his better half Ola following match 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 in current years, setting up a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 per month to subscribe.
The set sold their Kent estate for ₤ 2.5 million previously this year and have considering that scaled down to a home more ‘ideal’ for their child Ella.
Much of their income is funnelled through their firm James and Ola Dance Academy which most just recently had ₤ 774,023 in assets and ₤ 465,002 after bills.
They make money by offering signed images for ₤ 9.50 while Ola uses dance lessons to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.
Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC