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Strictly’s Kristina and Ben Split After 12 Years: Financial Woes or Karma?

BBG News

Strictly’s Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen have reportedly split after 12 years together. 

46-year-old former England rugby player Ben (previously married to Abby) and professional dancer Katya (aged 47), began their relationship following the well-known “Strictly Curse” after they met on the show in 2013. As a result, Ben ended his marriage with Abby for Katya.

According to confirmations from friends, it’s been reported by The Sun that the couple has split up due to financial problems that strained their relationship.

A friend told the publication: ‘Ben left his wife Abby for Kristina, only to now split with her.

This situation could be seen as a sort of reversal of fortune. It seems that what happened to Abby – her feeling heartbroken when Ben left her – may now be returning to Ben in the form of karmic retribution.

‘It’s like he has got his comeuppance.’

TopMob have contacted the couple’s representatives for comment. 

Ben ended his 11-year marriage with Abby to be with his dance partner from Strictly Come Dancing, Kristina, whom he was paired with in 2013.

Last year, signs of strain emerged in their relationship when they listed their £1.75 million house for sale due to financial difficulties, a point Ben acknowledged in court in October, stating that these money troubles had contributed to the stress in their union.

In October of this year, the five-bedroom house located in Northamptonshire, purchased back in 2016, has been listed for sale at a price of £1,750,000.

In my own words, I found myself in a tight spot when Kristina was pulled over for driving without insurance. To be honest, this situation has put me in a financial bind as I strive to protect both my relationship and our shared home.

She received six demerit points on her driver’s license, however, due to accumulating 12 total penalties, a ban was imminent following an incident involving her £30,000 Audi Q3 in Northampton on April 4.

Last November, it seemed like they presented a united image as Kristina posted a touching photo with Ben’s older daughters from his marriage with Abby, during an elegant formal gathering.

Since the dance competition in August last year, she hasn’t posted a photo featuring Ben on her social media feed.

It seems that selling the house might be an attempt to alleviate some of their financial troubles, following their joint venture into multiple businesses.

The couple, with an eight-year-old girl named Melina, may encounter additional legal disputes due to their failure to provide financial reports for a yoga studio. This oversight led the business to accumulate nearly half a million pounds in debt.

The financial difficulties for them emerged after the Covid pandemic in 2020, particularly affecting their yoga studio located in Northampton named Soo Yoga. This predicament took a toll on both their physical health and overall well-being.

As a steadfast adherent, I openly admitted that our enterprise faced financial challenges amidst the pandemic, as I testified before the esteemed court of Northampton.

He stated, “Each morning, I strive hard to keep from losing everything – my vehicles, my home, and my loved ones. I’m deeply in debt,” he admitted.

When asked about its effect on their relationship, he mentioned that they continue to reside together and share their finances.

Since our businesses are intertwined, the predicament is that we launched our ventures prior to the pandemic, and unfortunately, we were hit hard by its most severe impacts. To be frank, this additional challenge is one more issue I must address.

“Both my credit card balances exceed their limits, and I’m currently in the red. Our business is also dealing with debt due to the pandemic, which unfortunately adds to our troubles.

According to Companies House records, the Soo Yoga Group Limited reported a deficit of £488,470 in their most recent financial statement, which was for the fiscal year ending on July 31, 2022.

In June of 2017, Soo Yoga Group was established by Kristina and Cohen. However, in September 2022, the professional dancer relinquished her position as a director and handed over half of her ownership stake to her partner.

On their site, the studio mentions they provide various ‘comprehensive’ workout options such as yoga, pilates, dance, cycling, spin, HIIT, and meditation. The annual membership fee is £690, or you can opt for a pay-per-ten-classes package at £120.

One of the debts they carry involves a £190,000 loan given to Soo Yoga Group by Bespoke Ballroom Ltd, a company that is half-owned by Kristina, a Russian-born individual who is also recognized as an American citizen.

On December 27, 2022, it was planned that the company would be forcibly removed from the records. However, this action was postponed nine days later and ultimately halted on April 28, 2023.

According to the records, it’s clear that a company named Soo Greens Ltd, entirely owned by Soo Yoga Group Ltd, had a total debt of approximately £6,633 when considering future obligations, as per their latest financial statements ending on July 31, 2020. This indicates that the company was operating at a loss during that period.

The financial reports for the year concluding in July 2021 remain unsubmitted, making them approximately 29 months late in submission.

A business named Soo Purple Mountain Ltd, associated with the Soo Yoga Group, was established in December 2021 and was subsequently removed from registration in February of this year, having not submitted any financial reports during its operation.

As a devoted follower, I’d like to mention that another entity, Soo Group Ltd, a company in which Cohen held a 50% stake while the remaining 50% was shared among three others, was also established and subsequently de-registered on the very same dates.

At the close of July 2020, Yoga Wellbeing, a company entirely owned by Rihanoff, was £5,041 in debt, considering outstanding obligations. Records from Companies House indicate that its financial statements are almost 29 months past due.

It wasn’t until Ben openly discussed their business problems in court that it became known they were facing difficulties. Additionally, he confessed he hadn’t updated his partner’s car insurance information.

Kristina left Strictly in 2015 after falling pregnant with Ben’s daughter, now eight.

Previously, Ben mentioned that his bond with Kristina became stronger due to challenging periods in their business prior to their wedding.

He shared with HELLO! magazine, “For the past nine years, we’ve faced numerous trials. Navigating tough business periods together truly tests the strength and resilience of our relationship.

I’ve seen her blossom, from her transition into motherhood to her development as an entrepreneur, which has only made our connection stronger.

The family shared with the magazine their intention for the special occasion to be a gathering involving their daughter, along with Ben’s twin daughters from his marriage to Abby, who will play the role of bridesmaids.

In February 2024 he revealed the pair planned to ‘marry in secret’. 

Inquiring about his upcoming nuptials, presenter Jeremy Vine queried, “Ben, since you’ll be tying the knot shortly, won’t you, with the celebrated Strictly star, Kristina. You two have been engaged for some time now.

Affirmative, that’s Kristina. Not at this moment, we haven’t decided to get married yet. With all the happenings around the globe right now, it feels like there’s an endless stream of events in the world,” the athlete responded swiftly.

In today’s fast-paced global environment, running a business can indeed present numerous challenges. Besides navigating through Brexit, we’ve also had to confront the Covid pandemic, multiple lockdowns, three conflicts, and a economic downturn. Quite a formidable set of obstacles to overcome!

He mentioned that first, we need to deal with our business matters thoroughly, and afterwards, when the situation becomes more favorable, we might consider doing something discreetly elsewhere.

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2025-03-07 02:27

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