Former Strictly Come Dancing stars Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen are engaged

Virgin Radio

14 Nov 2022, 10:02

Wedding bells are on the way for former Strictly Come Dancing stars Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen. The couple, who are parents to six-year-old daughter Mila, have got engaged in the Maldives.

The pro dancer met the former England rugby player on set of 2011's Strictly when they were partnered together. Cohen and his wife of 11 years split up later that year after his stint on Strictly Come Dancing.

Speaking to Hello! Magazine, Rihanoff shared his romantic proposal which took place during a boat trip to an island where he had written 'Will you marry me?' in the sand, surrounded by a lantern-lit heart.

“Although we’d talked before about getting married one day, I hadn’t the slightest idea that Ben was planning this,” she explained.

“I was overcome with emotion and said ‘Yes, yes and yes’ straight away. My first reaction was wow. It was absolutely surreal and I couldn’t believe what was happening.

“I’m usually very perceptive but I didn’t have a clue Ben had been planning this. How he managed to keep it a secret was amazing.”

Cohen added: “I wanted us to go further forward together and taking a holiday in such a beautiful place felt like the perfect moment to do that.

“Setting the scene had to be really special and with the help of members of staff at the resort, we achieved that. It was truly incredible and blew me away.”

Cohen said: “Every love story has its honeymoon period but that eventually goes.

“Love has different meanings and for me, that’s a relationship with a partner who’s been through difficult times with me and together we move forward. She’s the person I want in my life forever.”

Here's who left Strictly this weekend.