For viewers tuning into BBC's megahit Strictly Come Dancing, they would be right in presuming that its stars should be making a significant fortune.
Whether it be the tireless 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 presumed that Strictly experts must earn a pretty penny, and years of success, through their time on the show, for most it's an entirely different story.
Pros who have bid farewell to the Strictly dancefloor recently have actually shared their struggles with stacking debts and cash troubles, 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 notorious 'Strictly curse' after their 12-year love ended in heartbreak. MailOnline then exposed it was the serious financial difficulties they had actually recently experienced are believed to have been behind their split.
MailOnline peels back the glitter behind Strictly stars' incomes to expose the reality about how for many, the cash stops as soon as the ballroom lights go dark ...
Kristina Rihanoff
How Strictly's popular dancers have wound up in debt - as Kristina Rihanoff's monetary troubles are blamed for split from Ben Cohen (imagined on the show 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, last year, the couple shared fears that they might lose their home after being struck by cash concerns, with Ben laying bare their monetary issues in court.
The degree of the couple's struggles were laid bare in uncommon circumstances - during 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 actually bungled the handling of their automobile insurance coverage policy and informed how he was 'battling to conserve his relationship and home'.
A buddy of the couple told the Mail he stated: 'The past 6 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 picked to move forward as different people.
'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 crippling financial obligations after they ploughed every cent they had into a yoga studio which plunged into crisis during the Covid pandemic.
In a tortuously frank admission Ben informed the court: 'I get up every day and I battle not to lose whatever - to lose my cars and trucks and my house and my relationship. I'm so overdrawn.'
In 2015 the couple shared fears that they might lose their home after being struck by money troubles, with Ben laying bare their financial concerns in court (pictured in 2021)
When questioned about the strains on his and Kristina's relationship, he stated: 'We're still cohabiting. We remain in it economically.
'We stay in business together so the problem is that we opened the organization before Covid and we got the worst severities of it and in all honestly this is simply another issue for me to handle.
'I've got credit cards that are overdrawn. I'm overdrawn in both accounts. We have got a company debt since 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 on and stopped on April 28, 2023.
Records likewise reveal that a food services business called Soo Greens Ltd which is 100 per cent owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd was effectively ₤ 6,633 in the red, considering future liabilities, in its last represent the duration ending on July 31, 2020.
The company's accounts for the year ending in July 2021 have actually still not been submitted and are now almost 29 months overdue.
Another business called Soo Purple Mountain Ltd which is also 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 filing accounts.
A 4th business called Soo Group Ltd which was half owned by Cohen and half owned by three other people was likewise included and voluntarily struck off on the same dates.
A fifth company called Yoga Wellbeing which is one hundred percent owned by Rihanoff was ₤ 5,041 at a loss, taking into consideration future liabilities, at the end of July 2020. Its accounts are likewise almost 29 months past due, according to Companies House records.
AJ Pritchard
AJ initially rose to popularity as a candidate on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the show simply months before the Covid pandemic (envisioned with Saffron Barker in 2019)
But AJ has given that clarify the cash issues some Strictly stars can face, and shared that he was plunged into financial obligation when his dance trip was cancelled in 2020
AJ initially rose to popularity as an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019, leaving the program just months before the Covid pandemic.
While the star had actually formerly wanted to kickstart a brand-new age of dance success by leaving the show, the pandemic required him to cancel his scheduled dance tour, plunging himself and brother Curtis into financial obligation.
Speaking with MailOnline, AJ clarified the money issues some Strictly stars can face after leaving the show.
He said: 'We had a company where we were running our own trip and the trip was cut brief. We paid all of our dancers since, personally, I seemed like that was the best thing to do. We ended up with a VAT expense which came out of our own pocket.
'We didn't get paid, myself or Curtis, but we paid all of our dancers. It's a hard choice to be made, but that's what it is when you are running your own business.
'They definitely did value it. I possibly didn't appreciate the debt that I was left in but, hey, it's a decision that was made.'
AJ said it is hard when a lot of his pals think 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 believe 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 minimal business, that's not even close.
'I think transparency is a positive thing in this day and age, however many people do not really want to discuss their finances.
'And I think people are by cash. People enjoy to see numbers and love to see nice things, and a great deal of times you require to live within your own methods.'
After leaving shows such as Strictly and Love Island, Curtis and AJ were tossed into a variety of big cash deals and AJ states some people have no concept how to deal with that kind of amount of cash.
Former I'm A Celeb star AJ exposed he and Curtis 'wish to make a distinction' and have established 'utilizing our own cash' a financial investment company called FINT to help to 'inform' individuals.
AJ ended up being really open about how in some cases the TV reservations and photoshoots can unexpectedly stop and stars have to learn how to 'adapt' their career.
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 makes is no place near that
He continued: 'It's truly tough I believe in our market, the show business and a great deal of other industries right now because a great deal of people are being laid off. It does play on your psychological health if you do not have that next task.
'Myself and Curtis have invested money, from my really first pay check on Strictly I've always had actually that money invested into various portfolios. Therefore, if I didn't have a task in six months time, I do have money there that I can draw on if I require it.
'And at the end of the day, there are constantly jobs out there. It's simply sometimes needing to alter what it is you think you are going to do and adapt a bit. Adapting is hard but you do have to adjust often.
'It is essential that people go into these big shows 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 facing the cost of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no various and is regularly snapped back into the 'real world' as he's seen the significant boost in everyday products.
He described: 'Each and every single day I'm brought back to reality. I pulled up at the petrol pump today and the diesel was 10p more costly due to decisions that have been made much greater up than my paycheck. That's the genuine world.
'I resembled, 'What 10p more expensive from the other day to today', like that's insane. I believe people forget, the cost of living and inflation's increased.
'Even when inflation boils down, it does not suggest that it returns to what it was. Life is going to be tough for a great deal of people this year and I do not believe it's going to get any simpler.'
Robin Windsor
Despite drawing in an excellent ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically died with simply ₤ 879 in his business's business account
Despite pulling in a remarkable ₤ 100,000 as a star of Strictly, Robin Windsor tragically died with simply ₤ 879 in his company's service 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 not traded for some time and according to Companies House Records was dealing with an 'active proposition' to be struck off.
The business Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed nearly ₤ 5,000 the last time it submitted accounts, but owed financial institutions ₤ 15,000, suggesting 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 business, which was paid back.
The company had actually transported incomes from a 'wide range of agreements to provide carrying out arts services within the media market', documentation said.
In the months prior to his death, Robin had been dealing with a Fred Olsen Cruise - together with fellow Strictly expert Gordana Grandosek Whiddon - and published images of himself when the boat docked in South Africa.
Robin formerly informed how he was paid ₤ 100,000 a year during his time on Strictly which concerned 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 not traded for a long time (pictured on the program in 2013)
He also recalled one time he earned 'silly money', telling This Is Money: 'My dance partner and I were when 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 remembered in September 2022 that the 'best' year of his monetary life was 2010, 'my very first year on Strictly Come Dancing'.
He said: 'All of an unexpected, I was making money I had actually just dreamt about. I probably made about ₤ 100,000 that year - not just from Strictly however from work off the back of the program such as the trip and private performances.
'When you're on prime-time TV, everybody wants a little piece of you.'
Discussing his Strictly exit, Robin stated he became so 'bitter' about not being enabled to return that he could not bear to view it, and he went into a 'consistent decrease' after leaving the program.
Graziano Di Prima
Graziano was considerably sacked by managers in 2015 following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous superstar partner Zara McDermott
Following his departure from the program, Graziano attempted to cash on his appearances on the program, with customised video messages on Cameo
Graziano was when considered a favourite among Strictly fans, but last year he was dramatically sacked by employers following claims of gross misconduct towards his previous celeb partner Zara McDermott.
The dancer later validated and regretted his actions versus Zara.
Addressing his exit from the program, a 'ravaged' Di Prima wrote on Instagram: 'I deeply are sorry for 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 making MILLIONS thanks to the program
'My extreme passion and decision to win might have affected my training program.
'While appreciating the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it's only right 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 scenario.
'There's more to this story that I am unable to go over at this time, however 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 attempted 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 refer to himself as a 'expert dancer on Strictly' on his profile.
And the stars who have actually cashed in on their Strictly success ...
Oti Mabuse
For many fans, Oti is considered one of Strictly's most successful exports, with the dancer crowned series champ for two years in a row, in 2019 and 2020
Since then, she has actually looked like 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! last year
For numerous fans, Oti is thought about 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 salary before she left the program in 2022, and because her exit has actually accumulated a huge 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, adding to a rumoured fortune of more than ₤ 1.4 million.
Before signing up with the Strictly lineup, Oti likewise worked as an expert dancer on Strictly's German equivalent, Let's Dance.
Oti is noted as a director of Pure Mabuse Limited, which she set up with her husband Marius Iepure, which was set up in February 2017, and has actually noted properties 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 enhancing' underclothing range, and she and husband Marius likewise share a ₤ 590,000 London mansion.
Between them, Oti and Marius hold ₤ 750,000 of assets in four private companies, which they co-own. consisting of the home firm, Lionshead, which notched up ₤ 110,582 in properties since last year.
And Oti has just contributed to her fortune in recent months by appearing on I'm A Celeb Get Me Out Of Here! where she was supposedly 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 actually cashed in with a string of stage roles
However, the dancer has actually previously shared that it hasn't constantly been simple, revealing in 2019 that he utilized to oversleep his vehicle while attempting to kickstart his carrying out career
Since leaving Strictly in 2020, Kevin Clifton has required to the phase, carrying out in Strictly Ballroom, Rock of Ages and War of the Worlds.
His company Supreme Dance declared ₤ 104,993 in its newest properties with ₤ 42,234 staying after expenses.
However, the dancer has formerly shared that it hasn't always been simple, exposing in 2019 that he utilized to sleep in his car while trying to start his performing profession, while managing it with an office task.
Speaking on his podcast The Kevin Clifton Show, he stated: 'If there's no one there, I'll sleep in my automobile and then I can manage 2 of my dance lessons tomorrow.
'I spent loads of time sleeping in my automobile - generally living out of my automobile - 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 simply getting fired from job after task - typical office jobs, just trying to sustain my dancer career.
'I was essentially looking in my wallet going, I have actually just been fired from another job. I have actually got 4 lessons tomorrow; I already can't spend for two of them.
'I'm going to need to blag it with the instructor and state," Oh, there's been an issue at the bank. I'm going to have to provide 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, setting up a fitness site called Dance Shred where they charge ₤ 12.99 monthly to subscribe
James Jordan left Strictly in 2013 with his partner Ola following suit two years lateer.
James has appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, returned a few years later for the All Stars version and won Dancing On Ice in 2019.
The couple have cashed in on their joint weight loss in the last few years, setting up 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 given that scaled down to a home more 'appropriate' for their daughter Ella.
Much of their income is funnelled through their firm James and Ola Dance Academy which most recently had ₤ 774,023 in properties and ₤ 465,002 after costs.
They earn money by selling signed photos for ₤ 9.50 while Ola uses dance lessons to fans at ₤ 300 a pop.
Strictly Come DancingBen CohenBBC