The couple, often used as an example of the ‘Strictly curse’, are back together after money issues caused them to break up
Strictly Come Dancing’s Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff have re-lit their romantic spark after breaking up amid money troubles. The couple, who got together on the show, are thought to be victims of the Strictly curse.
In March, it was reported that rugby star Ben and dancer Kristina had broken up, just six months after Ben said he was “fighting” to save his relationship and family. But the pair were seen getting close again at a fashion event on Saturday (27 September). At the event, where one of Ben’s daughters was walking the catwalk, Kristina was seen with her arm around her ex.
A source told the press: “They’ve decided to give things another go. They looked very much in love.”
The couple had a few business together, including a yoga studio, but they found themselves in spiralling debt during Covid. Ben told a court last year that he has to “fight not to lose everything – my cars and my house and my relationship”.
Ben and Kristina put their £1.75million Northants home up for sale after their split was confirmed, as both still lived there. But the house has not sold yet.
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In 2013, Ben was a contestant on Strictly and partnered with Kristina. After the show, Ben split from his wife Abby. Kristina broke up with her boxer boyfriend Joe Calzaghe before her series with Ben started.
As their relationship was rumoured to start before Ben left his wife, the couple are rumoured to be a product of the ‘Strictly curse’ – a pattern where the celeb or pro dancer ends their existing relationship to be with their dance partner.
Kristina’s relationship with Joe was also thought to be a result of the curse. Just one week into the boxer’s stint on Strictly in 2009, he split from his girlfriend of 5 years. It wasn’t long before he and Kristina started dating.
Other rumoured victims of the curse are Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole, as the latter was reported to have left his fiancee Camilla Dallerup for his 2004 celeb partner. Natasha denied this happened though: “There was chemistry, of course, and I certainly fell in love with dancing, but I did not fall in love with Brendan.”
Famously, Seann Walsh and Katya Jones were spotted kissing after a night out whilst paired up on the show. The kiss resulted in the end of Seann’s relationship and Katya’s marriage to fellow dancer Neil Jones.
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