‘Strictly Come Dancing’ professional dancer, Kristina Rihanoff has spoken out against claims she is a ‘homewrecker’ after becoming romantically involved with her former dance partner, Ben Cohen.
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The 37-year-old dancer has defended her relationship with the ex-England rugby player after he split from his wife of 13 years, Abby.
Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen were paired up on the 2013 series of 'Strictly'
Since going public with her ex-husband, Abby has called for the Russian star to be axed from the BBC show.
Despite Kristina insisting she only became romantically involved with Ben, 36, after his marriage broke down, she has repeatedly been labelled a ‘homewrecker’ on Twitter.
“He left his wife a year ago,” Kristina explained. “Recently we started dating but we’re allowed to see each other as two single people.
“I don’t know why I am always attacked. I am a hardworking, self-made person. I support five people in my family in Russia.
“It is such double standards.”
Kristina, who also dated dancer Vincent Simone and ex-dance partner boxer Joe Calzaghe, said there have been other ‘Strictly couples’, yet she is demonised.
"Pasha [Kovalev] and Rachel [Riley] got together after the show but everyone believed them when they said they were just friends,” she said.
"Flavia [Cacace] had three relationships. Janette [Manrara] was with Pasha, Artem [Chigvintsev] and now Aljaz [Skorjanec] – but I am the horrible one.”
Earlier this month Abby, who has filed for a “quickie” divorce from Ben, took a thinly veiled swipe at her ex-husband on Twitter .
“Some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts, then they make us want to leave footprints on their face,” she tweeted.