Ben Cohen revealed he plans ‘to marry in secret’ his fiancé Kristina Rihanoff – but admitted now they are both very focused on their businesses.
The rugby icon, 45, talked about his ploy for a low-key wedding to the Strictly star, 46, ‘when the time comes’ during a candid chat on the Jeremy Vine Show on Tuesday.
Jeremy, 58, asked: ‘Ben, I must ask you about love because you’re getting married soon, aren’t you. You’ve been engaged for a while to the Strictly legend, Kristina.’
‘Yeah, Kristina – no, we’re not, we’re not going to get married yet. Listening to you guys [in the studio], it’s so much going on in the world at the moment,’ the sportsperson answered promptly.
‘You know, having a business in today’s world is really tough. Not only do we have to deal with Brexit, we’ve gone into Covid and all the lockdowns and three wars and a recession.
Ben Cohen revealed he plans ‘to marry in secret’ his fiancé Kristina Rihanoff – but admitted now they are both very focused on their businesses (pictured in July 2023)
The rugby icon, 45, talked about his ploy for a low-key wedding to the Strictly star, 46, ‘when the time comes’ during a candid chat on the Jeremy Vine Show on Tuesday
‘So we’ll get our business sorted and concentrate on that and then once things perk up a little bit, we may think about doing it somewhere probably in secret,’ he added.
Fellow former rugby player James Haskell – who recently separated from his ex-wife Chloe Madeley – praised him: ‘That’s the best stitch up I’ve ever seen of anyone. Ben’s handled that so well, he’s just like, he’s like Atherton, he’s just dealt with a straight bat.’
But the BBC journalist was quick to point out: ‘If you’re going to wait for world peace to get married, my friend, that’s going to be a while,’ as James 38, added: ‘I’m getting unmarried. I’ve been through it.’
‘Right. You’re dead right. But getting married costs money,’ said the Sale Sharks sensation.
‘When you open a business before Covid and the struggles that come with that and we’re both workaholics, we both put a lot into it, you know, it’s tough.
‘So you want to go and get married somewhere, you know, invite your friends and have a good time and it’s going to cost a bit of money, isn’t it. So we’re going to have to save up,’ he finished.
Ben shares daughter Milena, 7, with pro ballroom dancer Kristina, which they welcomed in June 2016.
With their first interview and photoshoot as new parents, the first-time mum Kristina told HELLO! at the time that she was ‘settled’ and ‘in a happy place’ with Ben.
Ben shares daughter Milena, 7, with pro ballroom dancer Kristina, which they welcomed in June 2016 (pictured together)
The former Rugby star Ben fell in love with the Russian dancer after they were partnered up on the 11th series of Strictly in 2013, despite Ben being married at the time (pictured on the show)
Kristina then quit the show in 2015 when she fell pregnant with Mila (pictured together in 2022)
Ben also shares twin daughters Harriette and Isabelle, 15, from his first marriage to Abby Blayney Cohen (Ben pictured with Kristina and Mila, and his twin daughters together celebrating Christmas)
The former Rugby star Ben fell in love with the Russian dancer after they were partnered up on the 11th series of Strictly in 2013, despite Ben being married at the time.
Kristina then quit the show in 2015 when she fell pregnant with Mila.
Earlier last year, Ben said his relationship with fiancée Kristina has been ‘strengthened’ by ‘difficult times in business’ ahead of their wedding.
He told Hello! Magazine: ‘Over the last nine years we’ve been through the wringer’.
‘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.’
They told the magazine that they plan to make the big day a family affair with Mila and Ben’s twin daughters Harriette and Isabelle, 15, will as bridesmaids – whom he shares with his first wife Abby Blayney Cohen.
Kristina said: ‘Mila can’t wait, She’s already told me what she’s going to wear. ‘I want this kind of dress, Mummy, with a long train like you will have,’ she tells me. She certainly knows her own mind.’
