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How Strictly’s Popular Dancers have actually Ended up In Debt

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

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

However, while it has been assumed that Strictly specialists should earn a quite cent, and years of success, through their time on the program, for the majority of it’s a completely different story.

Pros who have bid goodbye to the Strictly dancefloor in the last few years have actually shared their battles with piling debts and money concerns, with some even facing the possibility of losing their homes.

Recently, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff end up being the current stars to be struck by the notorious ‘Strictly curse’ after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the severe financial difficulties they had actually just recently experienced are thought to have been behind their split.

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

Kristina Rihanoff

How Strictly’s popular dancers have wound up in debt – as Kristina Rihanoff’s monetary difficulties are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (imagined on the show in 2013)

Kristina previously appeared on Strictly as an expert 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 hit by cash troubles, with Ben laying bare their financial issues in court.

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

Giving proof during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben, 46, confessed he had actually mishandled the handling of their vehicle insurance coverage and informed how he was ‘battling to save his relationship and home’.

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

‘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 debilitating financial obligations after they tilled every penny they had into a yoga studio which plunged into crisis throughout the Covid pandemic.

In a tortuously frank admission Ben informed the court: ‘I get up every day and I fight not to lose whatever – to lose my cars and trucks and my home and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’

Last year the couple shared worries that they could lose their home after being struck by money issues, with Ben laying bare their monetary concerns in court (visualized in 2021)

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

‘We’re in service 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 just another issue for me to handle.

‘I’ve got credit cards that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have got a business financial obligation because of Covid. It’s simply another problem.’

The business was noted to be compulsorily struck off on December 27, 2022, but the action was suspended nine days later and ceased on April 28, 2023.

Records also expose that a food services company called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was effectively ₤ 6,633 in the red, taking into account 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 nearly 29 months overdue.

Another company 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 fourth business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other individuals was also incorporated and willingly struck off on the same dates.

A fifth company called Yoga Wellbeing which is 100 percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 in the red, taking into account future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are also nearly 29 months past due, according to Companies House records.

AJ Pritchard

AJ first increased to popularity as a participant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program simply months before the Covid pandemic (pictured with Saffron Barker in 2019)

But AJ has given that shed light on the cash issues some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into debt 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 simply months before the Covid pandemic.

While the star had actually formerly wished to start a brand-new era of dance success by leaving the program, the pandemic required him to cancel his planned dance tour, plunging himself and sibling Curtis into financial obligation.

Talking to MailOnline, AJ shed light on the cash problems some Strictly stars can face after leaving the program.

He stated: ‘We had a company where we were running our own tour and the trip was cut brief. We paid all of our dancers because, personally, I seemed like that was the right thing to do. We wound up with a barrel costs 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, but that’s what it is when you are running your own company.

‘They absolutely did appreciate it. I perhaps didn’t value the financial obligation 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 pals believe he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, nevertheless, he explained that after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he makes is nowhere near that.

The dancer said: ‘I think a great deal of individuals 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 think openness is a positive thing in this day and age, however the majority of people don’t actually want to discuss their financial resources.

‘And I believe people are captivated by cash. People enjoy to see numbers and love to see great things, and a great deal of times you require to live within your own ways.’

After leaving shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were thrown into a number of huge money deals and AJ states some people have no concept how to deal with that kind of sum of cash.

Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ exposed he and Curtis ‘desire to make a difference’ and have actually set up ‘utilizing our own cash’ a financial investment business called FINT to assist to ‘educate’ people.

AJ ended up being really open about how often the TV bookings and photoshoots can all of a sudden stop and stars have to learn how to ‘adjust’ their profession.

AJ stated it is hard when a lot of his friends think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly, as after they paid their taxes and VAT, the figure he earns is nowhere near that

He continued: ‘It’s actually tough I believe in our industry, the home entertainment industry and a lot of other industries today due to the fact that a great deal of people 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 constantly had actually that money invested into different portfolios. Therefore, if I didn’t have a job in 6 months time, I do have cash there that I can draw on if I require it.

‘And at the end of the day, there are always jobs out there. It’s simply sometimes having to alter what it is you believe you are going to do and adapt a little bit. Adapting is tough but you do have to adjust sometimes.

‘It is essential that individuals enter into these huge shows that they’re enjoying 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 cost of living crisis and AJ confessed he is no different and is frequently snapped back into the ‘real life’ as he’s seen the significant boost in everyday products.

He discussed: ‘Every day I’m reminded reality. I pulled up at the gas pump today and the diesel was 10p more costly due to choices that have been made much greater up than my income. That’s the real life.

‘I was like, ‘What 10p more pricey from yesterday to today’, like that’s crazy. I believe people forget, the cost of living and inflation’s increased.

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

Robin Windsor

Despite drawing in an excellent ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor unfortunately passed away with just ₤ 879 in his company’s organization account

Despite pulling in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically died with just ₤ 879 in his company’s organization account.

The dancer was found 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 a long 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 almost ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, however owed financial institutions ₤ 15,000, indicating it was ₤ 8,350 in the red.

At the height of his celebrity in 2015 and 2016 he held more than ₤ 23,000 in the business and advanced himself ₤ 35,000 from the company, which was repaid.

The company had actually carried profits from a ‘variety of contracts to provide performing arts services within the media market’, documentation 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 published pictures 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 pertained to an end after the 12th series in 2014.

The dancer was discovered dead in a London hotel in February, and in the wake of his passing it was revealed his firm had actually not traded for a long time (envisioned on the show in 2013)

He likewise remembered one time he earned ‘ridiculous 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 ‘finest’ year of his monetary life was 2010, ‘my very first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He said: ‘All of an abrupt, I was making money I had only 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, everybody desires a little slice of you.’

Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin stated he ended up being so ‘bitter’ about not being permitted to return that he could not bear to see it, and he went into a ‘stable decline’ after leaving the program.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano was considerably sacked by managers last year 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 when considered a favourite amongst Strictly fans, but last year he was dramatically sacked by managers following claims of gross misbehavior towards his previous celeb partner Zara McDermott.

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

Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘devastated’ Di Prima wrote on Instagram: ‘I deeply are sorry for the occasions that caused my departure from Strictly.

Strictly Come Dancing rich list: The professional dancers waltzing all the way to the bank after earning MILLIONS thanks to the show

‘My extreme passion and determination to win may have impacted my training regime.

‘While appreciating the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s just ideal for the sake of the program that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t allowed to use a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the level of sensitivity of the situation.

‘There’s more to this story that I am not able to go over 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 program, Graziano tried to cash on his looks 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 capitalized their Strictly success …

Oti Mabuse

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

Ever since, she has actually looked like a judge on Dancing On Ice, and likewise made a reported ₤ 200,000 cost for her stint on I’m A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! last year

For many 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.

The dancer was reported to be on a ₤ 410,000 income before she left the program in 2022, and since her exit has amassed a big fortune with a string of successful TV gigs.

Ever since, 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 listed as a director of Pure Mabuse Limited, which she set up with her partner Marius Iepure, which was established in February 2017, and has actually noted possessions of ₤ 510,953, according to its newest accounts.

In 2022, Oti likewise signed a big-money offer to work together with Bravissimo on a ‘self-confidence enhancing’ underwear range, and she and partner Marius also share a ₤ 590,000 London estate.

Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in 4 private business, which they co-own. consisting of the property company, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in properties since in 2015.

And Oti has just added to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I’m A Star Get Me Out Of Here! where she was reportedly 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 cashed in with a string of stage roles

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t constantly been simple, exposing in 2019 that he used to sleep in his vehicle while attempting to start his carrying out profession

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 declared ₤ 104,993 in its most current assets with ₤ 42,234 remaining after bills.

However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn’t always been easy, exposing in 2019 that he used to oversleep his automobile while attempting to kickstart his carrying out profession, while managing it with a workplace job.

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

‘I invested loads of time oversleeping my cars and truck – generally living out of my cars and truck – and having no work. It’s not all glamour. People think we live these simple, showbiz, glamorous lives and it’s not like that.

‘There’s been times where I was simply getting fired from job after job – office jobs, just attempting to sustain my dancer profession.

‘I was basically searching in my wallet going, I have actually simply been fired from another task. I’ve got four lessons tomorrow; I already can’t pay 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 need to offer you the money on my next lesson.” James and Ola Jordan

Business: James and Ola Jordan have actually cashed in on their joint weight reduction in recent years, setting up a physical fitness website called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe

James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his better half Ola following fit 2 years lateer.

James has appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, returned a couple of years later for the All Stars version and won Dancing On Ice in 2019.

The couple have actually capitalized their joint weight reduction in recent years, establishing a physical fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 each month to subscribe.

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

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

They earn additional money by offering signed pictures for ₤ 9.50 while Ola uses dance lessons to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.

Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC