Strictly Stars Face Financial Woes: Rihanoff and Cohen's Legal Battle

Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen, who met on the popular BBC show Strictly Come Dancing, are currently facing significant financial challenges, as revealed during a recent court hearing. The couple, who announced their engagement in 2022, are struggling to maintain their lifestyle and relationship amidst mounting debts.

The legal proceedings stemmed from Rihanoff's appeal against a driving conviction. On April 4, 2024, she was caught operating her Audi Q3 without insurance in Northampton. The court heard that the former Strictly professional requires her vehicle for various professional commitments, including judging ballroom competitions and transporting her children to school.

Cohen, a former rugby player, testified as a witness for Rihanoff. He disclosed the extent of their financial difficulties, stating, "I get up every day and I fight not to lose everything – to lose my cars and my house and my relationship. I'm so overdrawn." The couple's financial woes are partly attributed to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their business ventures, including a yoga studio they established.

The pair's relationship began during their partnership on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013, a show that has been running since 2004 and has exported its format to over 40 countries. Their union led to Cohen's separation from his then-wife in 2014, with the divorce finalized in 2016. This scenario is not uncommon in the show's history, with the term "Strictly curse" referring to contestants who end relationships and start new ones with their dance partners.

Despite the emotional testimony and the couple's evident distress, the court rejected Rihanoff's appeal. Recorder Louise Cox stated, "We find you had an honest belief you were insured but don't accept that belief was reasonable grounds to account for your lack of insurance." Rihanoff was ordered to pay £357 in appeal costs.

"We're still living together. We're in it financially. We're in business together so the problem is that we opened the business before Covid and we got the worst severities of it and in all honestly this is just another problem for me to deal with."

The couple's predicament highlights the potential pitfalls of fame and the challenges faced by public figures in maintaining their personal and financial stability. As Strictly Come Dancing prepares to launch its new series on September 14, 2024, just five days from now, this situation serves as a stark reminder of the real-life dramas that can unfold behind the glitz and glamour of the ballroom.

Strictly Come Dancing, which has raised over £40 million for Comic Relief and Children in Need, continues to be a beloved fixture in British television. However, the show's history is peppered with instances of relationship troubles among its contestants, a phenomenon that has contributed to its enduring popularity and tabloid appeal.