Strictly’s Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen ‘split after 12 years together after financial difficulties tore the relationship apart’

Strictly’s Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen have reportedly split after 12 years together. 

The ex-England rugby star and professional dancer’s relationship was the product of the infamous Strictly curse after the pair met on the show in 2013 and Ben left his then wife Abby for Russian star. 

However friends have now confirmed to The Sun that the pair have parted ways after financial difficulties tore the relationship apart.

A friend told the publication: ‘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.’

Strictly’s Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen ‘split after 12 years together after financial difficulties tore the relationship apart’

MailOnline have contacted the couple’s representatives for comment. 

Ben left his wife of 11 years Abby for his Strictly Come Dancing partner Kristina, after being partnered up with the blonde bombshell during his 2013 stint on the show.

However cracks had started to show last year after the couple placed their £1.75 million home on the market amid money struggles, which Ben said in court in October had put pressure on their relationship. 

The five-bedroom home in Northamptonshire, which was bought in 2016, was put up for sale in October for £1,750,000.

Ben pleaded poverty, admitting he was ‘fighting to save his relationship and home’ after Kristina was caught driving without insurance.

She was slapped with six points on her licence but faced a ban for totting up 12 penalty points after being caught behind the wheel of her £30,000 Audi Q3 in Northampton on April 4.

The sale of the house appears to be a bid to salvage some of their financial difficulties after the pair set up several businesses together. 

The pair, who share an eight-year-old daughter Melina, faced more potential legal battles after failing to submit accounts for a yoga studio which plunged almost £500,000 into the red.

Their money troubles started to rear its head following the Covid pandemic in 2020, which impacted their fitness and wellbeing studio called Soo Yoga in Northampton.

The business struggled to make money during the pandemic, which Ben acknowledged while giving his testimony at Northampton Crown Court.