By Robert Oliver
Copyright metro
Strictly partners who became partners outside of Strictly are giving things another go (Picture: BBC/PA)
A Strictly Come Dancing couple who first met each other on the BBC series are reportedly ready to give things another go after a recent split.
Ben Cohen, 47, and Kristina Rihanoff, 48, were paired together during the 2013 series, eventually finishing in a respectable eighth position.
The England rugby ace, who won the Rugby World Cup in 2003, posted strong scores throughout their run but were eliminated one week after reaching Blackpool.
Upon beginning Strictly, Ben was married to Abby Blayney – the mother of his two children – but the two split in 2014 and announced their divorce in 2016.
Many wondered if Abby had been the victim of the ‘Strictly curse’ that sees celebrities leave their spouses in order to start relationships with their dance partners, but Ben has always denied that he left Abby directly for Kristina.
Ben and Kristina announced the birth of their daughter in 2016, before announcing their engagement in 2022.
Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff competed in 2013 (Picture: BBC/PA)
Ben and Kristina have been together for more than a decade (Picture: James Shaw/Shutterstock)
Reports earlier this year suggested that Ben and Kristina had split following over decade together, with sources citing financial troubles as the culprit.
Now, though, things are apparently looking up for Ben and Kristina, with insiders saying the two are ready to give things another go just six months after splitting.
Speaking to The Sun, a source said, ‘They’ve decided to give things another go’ after the two were spotted attending a fashion event together, adding: ‘They looked very much in love.’
The pair attended the swanky London awards show together, and a picture taken from within the audience showed them looking comfortable and relaxed in each other’s company.
In the picture, Ben could be seen showing Kristina something on his phone, while Kristina leaned over from behind and put her right arm around his shoulder.
This time last year, the former England rugby star said he was ‘fighting’ to save his relationship as the Russian dancer faced a driving conviction at Northampton Crown Court.
The pair finished 8th during their Strictly Come Dancing series (Picture: Steve Thorne/Getty Images)
‘I get up every day and I fight not to lose everything – to lose my cars and my house and my relationship. I’m so overdrawn.’
Ben had revealed previously that he and Kristina had been facing financial troubles together, after their business was hit hard during the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘We’re still living together. We’re in it financially. We’re in business together so the problem is that we opened the business before Covid and we got the worst severities of it,’ he said.
‘I’ve got credit cards that are overdrawn. I’m overdrawn in both accounts. We have got a business debt because of Covid. It’s just another problem.’
In 2023, the couple revealed to Hello magazine that they were planning to marry in Tuscany, Italy, but later found themselves focusing on recovering their business.
Ben said of Kristina: ‘To support each other through difficult times in business is the ultimate test in a relationship. I’ve watched her flourish, from her becoming a mum to growing as a businesswoman, and it has strengthened our bond.’
Metro has contacted Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff for comment.
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