BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Ben Cohen 'signs up for Celebrity SAS' amid heartbreak
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Ben Cohen has reportedly signed up for Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, just weeks after his split from Kristina Rihanoff
Ben Cohen has reportedly signed up to a new reality show
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins has reportedly signed up Strictly Come Dancing alumnus Ben Cohen just weeks following his unexpected split from his partner amidst financial turmoil. The 46-year-old may be recognised more for his rugby achievements, but also made a splash on the dance scene with Strictly over ten years back.
Ben is said to be gearing up for yet another telly stint after enlisting in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, according to insiders.
Sources reveal that the ex-rugby star has faced difficulties in his private life due to his engagement ending, prompting him to dive headfirst into new professional pursuits.
"Ben has had a difficult few months with his split from Kristina, having to sell their home and also dealing with mounting business debts," the insider revealed.
"Celeb SAS is not only a good pay day for him, but it's a new challenge to immerse himself into. Ben is obviously a sportsman and a very physical, competitive player, so if anyone can handle the SAS recruitment process, it's him," they further elaborated to The Sun.
Ben is reportedly taking on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins
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Reality TV is not uncharted territory for Ben. He notably shone in September 2013 as a competitor in the eleventh series of Strictly, and conquered The Jump's third season in January 2016, even outperforming Dean Cain to victory in March of that year, reports the Mirror.
In 2017, he graced the screens as a contestant in season 7, episode 8 of The Celebrity Chase. He then showed his competitive spirit in January 2018 on And They're Off!, racing for Sport Relief.
Fast forwarding to December 2023, Ben stripped down for ITV's The Real Full Monty, advocating for cancer awareness.
While competing on Strictly, Ben fell deeply in love with his professional dance partner, Kristina Rihanoff. The Sun disclosed back in March how Ben and Kristina's relationship had come to an end.
Ben and Kristina met on Strictly in 2013
The pair welcomed their daughter, Milena, in 2016 — the year they bought their home — and got engaged in 2022, yet now they've put the house on the market. Ben, the ex-England rugby legend, famously left his wife Abby to pursue a romance with Russian dancer Kristina Rihanoff after being matched together on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013.
However, reports suggest financial strains have led to their breakup.
A source alleged: "Ben left his wife, Abby, for Kristina, only to now split with her. It's like the curse in reverse. This will be like karma for Abby; she was so upset when Ben left her. It's like he has got his comeuppance."
Another source disclosed: "The past six months have been hell for them, and it has torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their family, they have chosen to go forward as separate individuals. Those close to them who know them as a couple had hoped they would be able to work things out, but for now it's over, and it looks like there's no going back."
The couple were reportedly struggling financially
(Image:)
Their troubles started when they ventured into business together, with Kristina doubling up as a dance instructor. She conceded that they had "invested everything we've ever had" into Soo Yoga, crystallising her passion for exercise into an enterprise.
Nonetheless, they encountered severe difficulties once the pandemic struck. Last September, in a courtroom revelation, their financial woes became public knowledge when Kristina was prosecuted for driving her £30,000 Audi without insurance.
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The former pair listed their Northampton residence for sale, with Ben already stepping down as a director from their shared yoga venture. Their five-bedroom Northamptonshire property, which initially cost them £950,000, was sold for £1.75 million, the Daily Mail reports.
Wales Online has reached out to Channel 4 for comment.
Strictly Come Dancing is available on BBC iPlayer
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