LOUIE Spence danced his way into the nation’s hearts when he appeared on the noughties reality show Pineapple Dance Studios – and the TV work suddenly poured in.
However, fast-forward 17 years and the star, 56, has admitted how fame might have bought him a holiday home in Spain and a comfortable life, but hasn’t made him cash rich.
Louie burst onto our TV screens in 2009, and won over an army of fans with his high energy personality.
The star has revealed that at the height of his popularity he invested his money “wisely”, as finding fame in his 40s had taught him to be careful.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, the charismatic star said: “The financial gains I got from what I achieved when I did have a big profile was amazing.
“I was older when I became famous at 41.
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“So I was very wise to the fact that I’m not going to waste money up the wall when I’ve lived in an overdraft for all of my life up until then.
“I have a couple of properties, one here, one in Spain. I have no mortgages. I have no debt.
“I’m not cash rich at all. I’m comfortable. I’m asset rich.”
Continuing, Louie said he doesn’t even have a car – though his husband does have a Hyundai i10. Indeed, he’s had Range Rovers in the past and found the pricey repairs a real turn off.
Louie added: “I live a very comfortable, unpretentious life, like I say, I don’t even have a car.”
NEW SHOW
Louie is certainly keeping busy, as he has launched his very own heartwarming YouTube series.
He told us: “I’m incredibly happy doing this Louis Spencer in Care.
“I just feel it’s great. I watch it back and I actually laugh and I never lie to myself.”
Louis Spencer in Care sees the TV star visiting care homes across the UK to sing, dance and entertain the elderly residents.
The series, which drops new episodes weekly, sees Louie joined by his famous friends, including West End stars.
Explaining more about his exciting new YouTube show, Louie told The Sun: “We wanted to just bring the joy and the happiness as soon as we could to as many people as we could, but we just wanted to share a positive light on the care homes.
“Not just the people, the residents, but the carers, all the office staff, everyone that’s involved in it, but just have a real positive spin.
“And my job, what I’m doing when I go in there, is literally try and bring as much joy, fun and happiness to everybody that works there. You know, it’s so much fun.”
Talking about the residents he meets at the care homes, Louie said: “The pensioners are the most honest, funny people you will ever meet.
“And it is TV gold in a sense, because they’re briefs in age where they’ve got no filter. “
BECOMING A STAR
After studying at a top London stage school, Louie began his career in the West End, starring in shows like Cats and Miss Saigon.
He also danced on stage with a number of superstars like Spice Girls, Take That and Bjork.
Louie got his big TV break in 2009, while he was the creative director of a Covent Garden dance studio that’s known as Pineapple.
Sky decided to base a show around his work, and its line was: “Pineapple Dance Studios: Where careers are made, dreams are broken, bitching is an Olympic sport and everyone is fabulous!”.
The documentary was followed up by a second series, renamed Louie Spence’s Showbusiness.
Following the show’s success, Louie was so popular he landed spots on Dancing On Ice in 2012 (as a judge), Celebrity Big Brother in 2013 (coming seventh), and The Jump in 2015 (coming 11th).
Other shows he has popped up in over the years include The Chase, Top Gear, Benidorm, Would I Lie To You and Celebrity Come Dine With Me.
You can tune in to Louie Spence In Care on Louie’s YouTube Channel: @LouieSpenceInCare
