The Hidden Strictly Curse: Financial Ruin and Scandal After the BBC Axe
While the 'Strictly curse' is widely known as a pop culture phenomenon where celebrities spark romantic scandals with their dance partners, a far more devastating curse lurks behind the glitterball. This lesser-known affliction sees professional dancers plunged into financial hardship, career uncertainty, and personal turmoil after being unceremoniously dropped from the BBC's flagship show.
The Recent 'Bloodbath' and Precarious Livelihoods
This week, the stark reality of this curse emerged as five beloved Strictly Come Dancing stars—Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk, and Gorka Márquez—were axed from the lineup in what insiders describe as a Strictly 'bloodbath'. Whispers suggest more dancers may face the chop, leaving them frantically checking their finances. The loss of their Strictly salary, rumoured to be a flat rate between £35,000 and £50,000, threatens their economic stability, as short-term contracts offer no job security despite dedicating half the year to the show's intense schedule.
The axed dancers now hope to avoid the fate of former colleagues who fell victim to scandals and financial woes after leaving Strictly. Their stories reveal a pattern of struggle that contrasts sharply with the glamour of the dancefloor.
Brendan Cole: From Fan Favourite to Business Collapse
Brendan Cole joined Strictly in its inaugural 2004 season and remained a fan favourite until his contract was not renewed in 2018. Sources indicate he was sacked for creating negative press and on-air outbursts, with the BBC stating 'no one is bigger than the show.' Since his departure, Cole formed a dance troupe with fellow former stars but faced severe financial troubles. His company, Brendan Cole Ltd, launched in 2009, went into voluntary liquidation in November 2021, leaving debts including a £28,000 tax bill and a £50,000 Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan. Liquidators believe creditors will not recover their money, and Cole has agreed to repay a £45,000 director's loan at £1,000 per month.
James Jordan: Controversy and Criticism
James Jordan debuted on Strictly in 2006 with his wife Ola, quitting in 2013. He has been vocal about his post-Strictly life, sharing personal struggles but also embroiling himself in controversy. During a 2017 Celebrity Big Brother stint, he was branded homophobic and misogynistic after clashes with housemates. Jordan has accused Strictly of 'fixing' and criticised same-sex couples dancing together, stating ballroom is 'about a man dancing with a woman.' He was dropped in 2014 after clashing with producers, and recently faced backlash for a 'sexist' comment about his wife on social media.
Kristina Rihanoff: Yoga Venture Leads to Crippling Debt
Kristina Rihanoff, nicknamed the 'Siberian Siren,' joined Strictly in 2008 and met her husband Ben Cohen on the show in 2010. After leaving in 2015, the couple invested in a yoga studio, Soo Yoga Group Ltd, which plunged into crisis during the Covid pandemic. By 2022, the company was £488,470 in debt, leading to severe financial strains. In a 2024 court appearance for driving without insurance, Cohen admitted to bungling their insurance and fighting to save their relationship and home. Despite rekindling their romance recently, the couple's financial hardships have been profound.
Artem Chigvintsev: Domestic Violence Allegations and Income Loss
Artem Chigvintsev won Strictly in his first season in 2010 and left in 2014 for Dancing With The Stars in the US, where he married WWE star Nikki Bella. In 2024, he was arrested for domestic violence, though charges were dropped. Nikki later filed for divorce, and Artem claimed the false allegations cost him over $100,000 in lost income and social media revenue. In 2023, Nikki was ordered to pay $200,000 in spousal support and $3,500 monthly child support.
Robin Windsor: Tragic Suicide Linked to Strictly Axe
The dance world was rocked in February 2024 by the tragic death of Robin Windsor, who featured on Strictly from 2010 to 2013. An inquest revealed he took an overdose, leaving a suicide note stating the BBC 'destroyed me' after he was dropped from the show. The jury concluded his vulnerability to professional rejection, childhood trauma, loneliness, and mounting debts contributed to his mental health deterioration and suicide.
AJ Pritchard and Cameron Lombard: Career Struggles Post-Strictly
AJ Pritchard quit Strictly in 2019 to pursue presenting with his brother Curtis, but the career failed to materialise. During the Covid pandemic, a dance tour was cut short, leaving him in debt after paying dancers out of pocket. Cameron Lombard, an ensemble dancer from 2020 to 2021, stated he was axed and battled 'deep depression,' later moving to Miami to rebuild his career.
Financial Peril for the Newly Axed Dancers
The recent cuts expose the financial fragility of Strictly pros. Nadiya Bychkova's company has £48,750 in reserves, and she has set up firms with Alexandra Burke for potential projects. Luba Mushtuk's firm holds just £21,264, while Michelle Tsiakkas has not filed accounts for her company. Gorka Márquez struck off his fitness firm without submitting accounts, and Karen Hauer's company has £110,926 in reserves but owes £58,706 to creditors. These figures highlight the precarious nature of their livelihoods beyond the show's spotlight.
As Strictly continues to refresh its lineup, the hidden curse of financial ruin and scandal remains a stark reality for dancers who once dazzled audiences, now facing uncertain futures without the safety net of their BBC salaries.
