Tag: Kristina Rihanoff

I’m not happy to report that rugby champ and anti-bullying superstar Ben Cohen got bumped from BBC’s “Strictly Come Dancing” last night after a 9 week run.

As he received the news on the live broadcast, Ben had this to say: “When would I get to dress like this every day, wear all the lycra and maybe not a top!  Now I can dance at my kid’s parties. Kristina has been great, I’ve thrown her into walls, dropped her a few times and she has been great – thanks ever so much for putting up with me!”

Like a great champion, Ben took the loss with further grace posting this on his Facebook page:

Thank you all so much for the support during my time on Strictly Come Dancing. I had a blast and met some great people. A big Thank You to Kristina Rihanoff for teaching me to dance. You have a patient of a Saint and made my Journey fun and exciting. Thanks Ben

With typical good nature, Ben’s hard work showed throughout the competition, but always accompanied with a smile and light-hearted fun.

Whether on the dance floor, the rugby field or fighting bullying, Ben continues to inspire.

And speaking of inspiration, let’s take one more look at one of the highlights of Ben’s run on “Strictly Come Dancing” – his shirtless and passionate Paso Doble.

Ben Cohen gives some period style to the Charleston on “Strictly Come Dancing”

Tonight rugby superstar and LGBT anti-bullying champ took to the Strictly Come Dancing floor with partner Kristina Rihanoff to give their best on the Charleston, dancing to “No Diggity.”

Metro reports on how it all went down:

While Mark Benton remains the favourite to leave the competition this weekend after two consecutive weeks in the dance-off, the rugby ace failed to impress the judges as he tackled the Charleston with Kristina Rihanoff.

And despite his best efforts he scored just 27 points from the judges, putting him one point behind Benton and potentially placing him in the danger zone.

‘It wasn’t the most electrifying Charleston I’ve ever seen,’ complained Craig Revel Horwood.

‘There was no cross what so ever and you lacked any freedom of movement… this is what it’s about quirkiness.’

Meanwhile Len Goodman added: ‘The lifts were great but it lacked any kind of freedom in the movement.’

Ben Cohen and partner Kristina Rihanoff cut loose doing the Charleston on “Strictly Come Dancing”

Ben Cohen shows  – if you’ve got it, USE it!

Ben Cohen has shown very strong partnering skills throughout the competition

Kristin Rihanoff celebrates at the end of the number

Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff in a spectacular lift while dancing the American Smooth

Ben Cohen (rugby superstar and founder of the anti-bullying StandUp Foundation) and Kristina Rihanoff dance the American Smooth to Alicia Keyes’ ‘Fallin’.

The dance garnered 32 points, which matched the teams highest score to date, and was 6 points higher than last week’s Jive.

Ben gets better and better each week, and Kristina’s choreography wisely takes advantage of Ben’s athleticism and strong partnering skills.

Go Team Cohen/Rihanoff!