Strictly hunky: Muscling in on the dancefloor, Ben the scrummy rugby star
By SIMON CABLE
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If the size of Ben Cohen’s arms are anything to go by, the former Rugby World Cup Champion is Strictly-ready!
He and dance partner Kristina Rihanoff have been in training for several weeks, notching up an impressive 44 hours of practice in one week alone, as they prepare for their live show debut this weekend when they will be performing the Cha-Cha-Cha.
With his impressive physique it’s not difficult to see why Mr Cohen, who is 6ft 2ins and weighs 16 stone, may find himself cast as the heart throb of the show.
Arms of steel: Former England rugby player Ben Cohen lifts his dance partner Kristina Rihanoff
Putting in the hours: The sportsman has clocked up an impressive 44 hours of practice in the studio for his first dance - the Cha-Cha-Cha
The married father is taking part in the show to raise the profile of his anti-bullying charity The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation.
Mr Cohen gave up his lucrative career on the pitch to help his wife raise his children and devote more time to his charity.
The 34-year-old, whose wife Abby gave birth to twin girls Harriette and Isabelle in 2006, said he quit playing for the national team to help his wife prepare the home for the arrival of his daughters.
Good cause: The married father is taking part in Strictly to raise the profile of his anti-bullying charity - The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation
First night jitters: The sportsman says he is nervous about his first performance and that he often forgets to smile during his dance
He said his decision to spend more time raising his children was also motivated by the death of his father Peter, who was killed in a nightclub attack in 2000 when Ben was 22.
Mr Cohen’s decision to get involved with Strictly is a dream come true as up until now has merely admired those who take part from afar.
The 15 stars included in this year’s line-up will see six couples perform live for the first time on Friday night followed by the remaining nine couples taking to the dance floor on Saturday night.
On the job: Contestant Patrick Robinson, who plays Dr Martin Ashford in Casualty, practices on set with Crystal Yu who plays a junior doctor
Focused: Natalie Gumede is being put through her paces by professional partner Artem Chigvintsev
Salsa? The Corrie actress looks like she's rehearsing for a Latin number
Mr Cohen will perform on Saturday night. He said: ‘It’s nerve wracking but hopefully all the training and practicing of the last couple of weeks will make it second nature on the night.
I just need to remember to smile and dance and everything else in front of the audience, and not let nerves take over.'
Meanwhile, the doctor of the group Patrick Robinson who plays Dr Martin Ashford aka Ash, took his training to the Casualty set as he rehearsed on set with Crystal Yu who plays junior doctor Lily Chao in the hospital drama.
Heating up! Natalie and Artem look deep into each other's eyes as they practice for the first live show
Elegant: Sophie Ellis Bextor and partner Brendan Cole look to be doing a slower number
But his medical knowledge from playing a doctor hasn’t helped him avoid injury as he too feels the efforts of training too hard.
He has been forced to wear knee supports on both knees after their excessive training for the jive has left him with sore joints, and his professional partner Anya Garnis managed to injure her toe in training that left it infected and swollen.
Mr Robinson will perform a jive on Saturday night. Eliminations begin next week.
Having fun: Even with the hard training, the two seem to be having a jovial time during rehearsals
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2434279/Strictly-Come-Dancing-Ben-Cohen-muscles-dancefloor.html#ixzz2g57Lutph
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