Kristina has insisted that, while some elements to the show are scripted, the dancing is the most important part, and there is no truth to claims the show is edited in any contestants’ favour.
She writes, in her blog for Hello! magazine: “This week there was a lot of speculation in the press about ‘Strictly’ being a fix.
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Kristina Rihanoff
“Of course we have to understand that it is a TV show so there is a script and a lot of things are produced. But when it comes to dancing, you can’t fault it.
“When I watch I can see if a couple really deserves to be in the dance-off or not and I think the public can too. ‘Strictly’ has been around for 12 years so viewers know! I think last week showed quite clearly that the show is all about dancing – the best dancers go through.”
Kristina admits later in the blog that she doesn’t always agree with the judges’ scores, but insists that she doesn’t think the difference of opinion is due to any sort of “fix”.
“Ballroom dancing is so difficult to judge. It’s not matter-of-fact. It’s not like running and coming first and you can’t argue with that. It’s much more subjective and there’s so much to judge – the technical side, the emotional side etc. This is why Ballroom dancing never made it to the Olympics!
“I can watch the same dance as the judges and see it differently. I look for the couple’s emotional connection, how they tell the story and how they dance in unison. When I say Georgia and Giovanni were undermarked by the judges, that’s my opinion. That’s how we have to understand the judging on the show. It’s not that black and white!”
Kristina was the third professional dancer to be eliminated from this year’s series, alongside her celebrity partner, Daniel O’Donnell.
Newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky was the first star to ever triumph in the inaugural series of 'Strictly Come Dancing', back in 2004, when there were just seven competitors to beat.Having obviously been a hit with 'Strictly' viewers, she was later chosen to cover for regular presenter Tess Daly, when she went on maternity leave. (credit:BBC)
Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennet(02 of12)
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Clearly sensing they were onto a winner, the BBC decided to kick-start the second series of 'Strictly' just three months after Natasha Kaplinsky's victory, securing its spot in the Saturday night schedule in the latter half of the year.Jill Halfpenny was crowned winner second time around, along with her partner, Darren Bennet. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova(03 of12)
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Darren became the first male celebrity to triumph in the 'Strictly Come Dancing' final in 2005, beating Colin Jackson and eventual 'It Takes Two' presenter Zoe Ball in the process. (credit:Michael Boyd/PA Archive)
Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy(04 of12)
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Cricket player Mark Ramprakash took home the glitter-ball trophy a year later.Here he is performing with his professional partner, Karen Hardy, at the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year Awards a year after his victory. (credit:David Davies/PA Archive)
Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler(05 of12)
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'Strictly' helped breathe new life into Alesha's career, when she and partner Matthew Cutler were crowned winners.Her smash hit solo single 'The Boy Does Nothing' followed soon after, not to mention a spot on the 'Strictly' judging panel... until Simon Cowell decided to snare her for 'BGT', that is. (credit:BBC)
Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup(06 of12)
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'Holby City' actor Tom Chambers' public profile skyrocketed, when he and his professional partner, Camilla Dallerup, were crowned winners of the sixth series.They beat TV presenter Lisa Snowdon and 'Negotiate With Love' singer Rachel Stevens in the live final, back in 2008. (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan(07 of12)
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Chris Hollins gave professional dancer Ola Jordan her first, and so far only, win back in 2010. (credit:BBC)
Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev(08 of12)
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Kara and Artem had a double victory in 2010.Shortly after taking home the glitter-ball trophy, they announced that they were dating. (credit:Rowan Miles/PA Archive)
Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani(09 of12)
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Can we please just take a moment to appreciate this photo? (credit:David Jones/PA Archive)
Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace(10 of12)
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The tenth series was won by Olympian Louis Smith and his professional partner, Flavia Cacace. (credit:Georgie Gillard/Associated Newspapers/REX)
Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Skorjanec(11 of12)
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In the first ever all-female 'Strictly' final, Abbey beat Susanna Reid and Natalie Gumede to the glitter-ball trophy.Fourth place was also a female contestant, with Sophie Ellis-Bextor leaving the competition at the semi-final stage. (credit:Rui Vieira/PA Archive)
Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev(12 of12)
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And then there was the most recent 'Strictly' winner, Caroline Flack, who took part in the competition less than a year after leaving 'X Factor' spin-off show, 'Xtra Factor'.Apparently sensing her popularity was on the rise, Simon Cowell quickly signed her up to host the main show, alongside Olly Murs. (credit:BBC)