Kristina Rihanoff conceals dancer's figure in animal-printed coat as she and boyfriend Ben Cohen leave her birthday party separately

Up until recently, they've been keen to shout their romance from the rooftops.

But Strictly Come Dancing couple Kristina Rhianoff and Ben Cohen continued to downplay their relationship as they were pictured exiting her birthday party separately on Tuesday night.

Kristina, 38, concealed her dancer's figure in an animal-printed trench coat which she wore mostly buttoned up to hide her birthday suit from the preying paps as she exited Mint Leaf restaurant on Haymarket in central London.

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Strategically-timed exits: Kristina Rihanoff ensured they weren't papped together as they left her birthday party separately on Tuesday night
Strategically-timed exits: Kristina Rihanoff ensured they weren't papped together as they left her birthday party separately on Tuesday night

Strategically-timed exits: Kristina Rihanoff ensured they weren't papped together as they left her birthday party separately on Tuesday night

However, the Strictly professional did parade her lean legs which looked toned and tanned to perfection.

Her petite frame was heightened thanks to a pair of black platform open-toe heels.

Kristina kept her head down as she made a swift and solo exit from the up-market eatery with her hair and make-up perfectly in place following her 38th birthday celebrations.

She's got it covered: Kristina, 38, concealed her dancer figure in an animal-printed coat as she left Mint Leaf restaurant in London

She's got it covered: Kristina, 38, concealed her dancer figure in an animal-printed coat as she left Mint Leaf restaurant in London

Cool and casual: The rugby ace, 37, kept his out fit plain and simple in an all-grey ensemble

Cool and casual: The rugby ace, 37, kept his out fit plain and simple in an all-grey ensemble

Friendly co-stars: Newly-engaged pro dancers  Janette Manrara and Aljaž Skorjanec helped their co-star toast her 38th birthday

Friendly co-stars: Newly-engaged pro dancers Janette Manrara and Aljaž Skorjanec helped their co-star toast her 38th birthday

Kristina was closely followed by her rugby-player boyfriend Ben, 37, who cut a casual figure in a pair of grey suit trousers and a lighter polo-style knitted long-sleeve top with the top button undone.

It was a fun evening had by all - despite the fact her boyfriend turned up an hour late - and guests, which included newly-engaged fellow pro dancers Aljaž Skorjanec and Janette Manrara, spent the evening sipping on cocktails and champagne and tucking into three individually-designed birthday cakes.

Kristina and Ben struck up a friendship which has since developed into something more romantic after being partnered together on the 2013 series of the BBC show.

The Russian-born star broke her silence on their romance recently, describing it as a 'work in progress'.

She told The Sun on Sunday: 'We are in a committed relationship, and of course, that involves love.

'We're constantly together - either at my place or his. We're still very new so there's much more left to grow hopefully. It's a work in progress.'

'Work in progress':The Russian-born star broke her silence on the former Strictly partners' relationship at the weekend

'Work in progress':The Russian-born star broke her silence on the former Strictly partners' relationship at the weekend

To this day, she maintains she had no involvement in Ben's marriage breakdown with wife Abby, adding: 'Ben's said it many times and I'll say it again - I wasn't involved in the breaking up of his marriage.'

Meanwhile Abby recently described the split and resultant divorce as 'the most traumatic thing to ever happen to me'.

Speaking last month, she said: '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.

'He's done the dirty on me. I'm just trying to recover from what has been the most horrific time of my life.'

'Most traumatic thing to ever happen to me': Ben's wife of 12 years, Abbey Blayney - who he is currently divorcing - is understandably upset about the couple's marriage breakdown

'Most traumatic thing to ever happen to me': Ben's wife of 12 years, Abbey Blayney - who he is currently divorcing - is understandably upset about the couple's marriage breakdown

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