KATCHING MY I: Kristina Rihanoff reveals she came close to quitting Strictly Come Dancing over revelations about her private life

Monday 8 June 2015

Kristina Rihanoff reveals she came close to quitting Strictly Come Dancing over revelations about her private life

PUBLISHED: 16:30, 8 June 2015 | UPDATED: 16:30, 8 June 2015

Strictly Come Dancing professional Kristina Rihanoff has said she came close to quitting the BBC1 show following revelations about her private life.

The 37-year-old told the Loose Women panel: 'Last year, [I was] almost there...I didn’t come on the show to be portrayed in a certain way,' adding: 'We all want some privacy.'

However, panellist Jane Moore took her to task following her comments, saying that she had taken part in magazine photoshoots with her partners in the past so it was hard to expect privacy.

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Tough times: Kristina Rihanoff has said she came close to quitting BBC1 show Strictly Come Dancing following revelations about her private life

Kristina responded: 'I just don’t think it always has to be negative publicity, because also they don’t really know the truth.

'The thing is, it’s really up to me and the person I’m with to live our life and decide what’s right, what’s wrong.

'I think because I was raised in Soviet Russia for me it was always - let your work speak for itself.

'It’s all about what you do on the dance floor, how good you are as a dancer, as a choreographer and as a coach for your celebrities. That’s what should be the topic of conversation.'

She said: 'I didn’t come on the show to be portrayed in a certain way, but Jane Moore (right) reminded her she had taken part in magazine photoshoots with her partners in the past

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The comments have come after the show veteran, who has been nicknamed the Siberian Siren, was linked to last year's dance partner, Ben Cohen after he was pictured leaving her West London flat after a 10-hour overnight stay at the end of last month.

Their late-night rendezvous sparked further rumours they may be more than friends, although similar claims made in the past have always been vehemently denied by both parties.

During their time on the show, both Ben, who has since split from his wife Abby - and Kristina were forced to deny rumours any form of romantic relationship was taking place.

Rumours: The show veteran has been linked to last year's dance partner, Ben Cohen after he was pictured leaving her West London flat after a 10-hour overnight stay but the pair denied similar claims were true

Tough times: During their time on the show, both Ben, who has since split from his wife Abby - and Kristina were forced to deny rumours any form of romantic relationship was taking place

At the time Ben admitted his wife found the raunchy routines hard to watch and had walked in on her husband practising gyrating with Kristina.

'It was a bit awkward and my wife said "I'll come back in a minute,"' he explained.

Kristina previously had a fling with fellow professional Vincent Simone and started a long-term relationship with boxing champion Joe Calzaghe after being partnered on the show.