Strictly sweet! Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen put on loving display as they hold hands during rare outing together

By Lucy Mapstone for MailOnline

Published: 02:34 EST, 7 September 2015 | Updated: 07:17 EST, 7 September 2015

Their romance has hardly been smooth-sailing.

But as Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff stepped out together in London at the weekend, they looked every inch the relaxed pair, holding hands as they walked.

It was the first time the twosome, who met in 2013 after being partnered on Strictly Come Dancing, have been seen together for some time while putting on such an affectionate - if not chaste - display.

Scroll down for video 

Strictly sweet: Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff stepped out hand-in-hand at the weekend as they went to a hotel in London

Strictly dancer Kristina, 37, looked smart as she donned a figure-skimming black blazer and skinny trousers over a white blouse.

And, despite her towering heels, the petite Russian beauty still didn't manage to reach her beau's lofty height.

Rugby star Ben, 36, meanwhile, was clad in far more casual attire for their rare evening outing, opting for faded jeans and a simple blue t-shirt and Nike trainers.

It was a sporadic PDA for the couple, who have been dogged with rumours over the end of Ben's marriage to estranged wife Abby in recent months, but they certainly appeared comfortable in each other's company.

Rare display: The couple - who have remained tight-lipped over their romance in recent months - kept their hands linked as they enjoyed a casual evening together ahead of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing

Casual vibes: Kristina, 37, opted for a chic blazer and skinny jeans with heels, while Ben, 36, was far more laid-back in jeans, a t-shirt and trainers

Kristina - nicknamed the Siberian Siren - in particular seemed calm and looked lovingly up at Ben as they walked, flicking her blonde mane flirtatiously.

She's currently in the midst of preparing for the brand new series of the BBC1 all-dancing show, which has seen her this year paired with new contestant, singer and TV presenter Daniel O'Donnell.

While Ben and Kristina are now believed to be in a relationship, with their latest display all but confirming that, Ben's ex-spouse Abby is claiming they got together before her split from the sportsman last year.

In an interview with Laura Armstrong from The Sun On Sunday last week, the 37-year-old mother of his twin daughters, claims Ben betrayed her with the Strictly Come Dancing star. 

Smiles: Kristina - dubbed the Siberian Siren - gazed happily at her former Strictly contestant companion

'My husband, who I was with for 23 years, unconditionally loved and was completely loyal to in every respect, has left me for a f***ing Russian dancer,' she claimed.

'The last two years have been the most traumatic thing to ever happen to me. He's done the dirty on me. I want people to know,' Abby added.

'I don't want to cause stress or further damage by stirring things up. But I'm just trying to recover from what has been the most horrific time of my life.'

At the time of Ben's split from Abby - his wife of 11 years - last September, he strenuously denied having a relationship with Kristina.

Towering over: Despite her huge heels, petite Kristina still didn't manage to reach Ben's eye-level

His denials came despite the fact he was pictured with his arm around her while they travelled on the London Underground, but their friends have recently claimed they are in a relationship.  

The couple were pictured on a secret sunshine break with his twin seven-year-old daughters this month, with the pair going to to great lengths to conceal the fact they were on holiday together – even taking separate flights to the Turkish resort of Antalya.

Ben's wife, who is divorcing the rugby ace, knew he was taking their daughters to Turkey, but had no idea Kristina would be joining him, The Mail on Sunday revealed. 

Kristina is known for her dalliances with her Strictly partners: she dated fellow Strictly pro Vincent Simone, who cheated on his girlfriend Susan Duddy with her in 2008 when Susan was pregnant with their first child.

It has been claimed that Kristina did not know he had a partner when they got together.

United front: After months of speculation over their dalliance, the pair created a strong unit as they ended their evening in the British capital

Past partners: Kristina was the professional partner of Ben back on the 2013 series of Strictly and, while they insist they weren't seeing each other before his marriage ended, Ben's estranged wife Abby has claimed otherwise

Vincent and Susan later reconciled and had another child together.

Kristina also dated boxer Joe Calzaghe after they were paired together on the dancefloor back in 2009 and went on to date for four years before splitting in August 2013.

When they met, he was in a five-year romance with former model Jo-Emma Larvin, but within a week of starting training with Rihanoff the couple had split. 

Kristina previously opened up about her relationship with Ben in The Mail on Sunday.

She said: 'We are both single people. We enjoy each other’s company. We work together.

'Who knows what the future will hold. I do not owe it to the whole country to speak about my private life because it’s just that, private.'

New partner: This year's series of Strictly Come Dancing will see Kristina dance with Daniel O'Donnell

Comments (309)

Share what you think

• Newest
• Oldest
• Best rated
• Worst rated

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now