Beefy Ben Cohen shows off his portly physique as he relaxes fitness regime while indulging in a sun-soaked holiday in Miami

By Jemma Buckley For Daily Mail

Published: 16:56 EST, 21 July 2015 | Updated: 11:23 EST, 22 July 2015

As one of the country’s top rugby players, he used to be in peak physical condition.

But it would appear that Ben Cohen has been making the most of his retirement from the sports field. 

The former England star looked out of shape as he waded through the waters during a holiday in Miami. 

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Letting go: Former rugby star Ben Cohen let it all hang out as he relaxed on holiday in Miami, Florida this week

Rugby ace Ben Cohen holidays in Miami, takes fitness break

Despite carrying a few more pounds than he's used to, the hunk seemed in high spirits while soaking up the sun with friends, including unlikely pal, fashion designers Julien Macdonald and Melissa Obadash.

The trio looked to be having a blast as they laughed on the beach, before relaxing together on sun loungers in the Florida resort.

Perhaps the 36-year-old has indulged in one too many romantic meals with reported girlfriend Kristina Rihanoff – the ‘Siberian Siren’ he met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013.

When he split from estranged wife Abby Cohen, 37, last September, the father-of-two denied an affair, despite being pictured with his arm around the Russian dancer on the London Underground. Friends have recently claimed they are in a relationship.

Beefed up: The 36-year-old appeared to have relaxed his fitness regime following his retirement from rugby

Making a splash: The former England star looked out of shape as he waded through the waters during his sun-soaked holiday

All smiles: Despite his portlier frame, the former Strictly star seemed in high spirits as he cooled down in the surf

Break: Ben's trip to the US comes amid an escalating online row between his rumoured new partner Kristina Rihanoff and his estranged wife Abby

The 37-year-old ballroom queen was nowhere to be seen as Cohen partied on the US coast.

In her absence, he seemed to be using the holiday as chance to get rid of his paunch and shared post-workout pictures on his social media accounts.

After one morning fitness session with swimwear designer Melissa, he tweeted a picture of the pair of them with the caption: ‘She put me through my paces #Miami #needtogetfit’.

Another picture of him posing by the pool was captioned: ‘Weights and run done!!!’

Taking time out: Although he faces a bitter divorce battle at home, the father-of-two didn't appear to have a care in the world as he splashed around

Fashionable friends: Among his vacation party was swimwear designer Melissa Obadash

Unlikely pals: He was also holidaying with fashion designer Julien Macdonald, who competed on Strictly in 2013 alongside Ben

Are they in style? The fashion guru, 44, opted for a tiny pair of trunks as he frolicked in the waves

Nice to sea you: American Melissa has attended several of Ben's charity dinners for his Stand Up Foundation, an anti-bullying organisation

Fetch the sun cream: The star seemed to be a classic 'Brit abroad' and showed off his vest tan

Hold it in: The hunk made sure he sucked in his stomach as he made his way across the sand

Going solo: Kristina, 37, was nowhere to be seen as Cohen partied on the US coast

New crowd: The former sports ace was an unlikely addition to the well-heeled, fashion crowd he joined in the Florida party city

Tan time: Ben soaked up the sun as he kept abreast of updates on his mobile phone

Fun times: Ben shared a joke with a bikini-clad Melissa from their sun loungers

Pool party: The star enjoyed a refreshing drink in the pool after returning from the beach

It comes as his estranged wife and Kristina became involved in a public spat on social media.

Abby, who has seven-year-old twins Harriett and Isabelle from her 11-year marriage to the sportsman, sent the Strictly star a barbed message on Twitter in an apparent reference to her rumoured relationship with her estranged husband.

It read: 'When a bird is alive, it eats ants. When the birth is dead, ants eat the bird. One tree makes a million match sticks. Only one match stick needed to burn a million trees. So be good... and do good.'

Holiday to remember: Ben and his pals have been updating their social media sites with several snaps from the trip

After one morning fitness session with swimwear designer Melissa, he tweeted a picture of the pair of them with the caption: ‘She put me through my paces #Miami #needtogetfit’

Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff dance a sexy salsa on SCD tour

Going public? Ben is reported to have told his estranged wife Abby that he is dating his Strictly dancer Partner Kristina, despite denying rumours they were dating several times

If there was any doubt as to who the post was aimed at, Abby forwarded it to Kristina, writing, 'There you go lovely...'

She also wrote: 'Some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts, then they make us want to leave foot prints on their face....'

Responding to a Twitter user who said that 'no one should be publicly humiliated and bullied', Kristina said: 'It's all good. Just more stuff for my book to write. Thanks for support xx'.

She later denied it was a tell-all publication and said the book, due for release in October, will instead contain details of her childhood.

She wrote: ‘Book is about my life in Soviet Union. About me building my career on my own.’

More drama: Abby, who has seven-year-old twins Harriett and Isabelle from her 11-year marriage to the sportsman, sent the Strictly star a barbed message on Twitter in an apparent reference to her rumoured relationship with her estranged husband

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