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Ben Cohen 'risks upsetting Strictly girlfriend Kristina Rihanoff after sending string of friendly texts to soap star Gemma Oaten'

Published: 07:35 EST, 18 October 2015 | Updated: 12:42 EST, 18 October 2015

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He went public with his former Strictly Come Dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff this summer.

And it's now been reported that Ben Cohen has allegedly been sending messages to another TV star, Emmerdale actress Gemma Oaten, running the risk of upsetting Russian beauty Kristina.

The 37-year-old rugby ace was reportedly forced to deny he was having a fling with the soap star when Kristina found out about the string of texts, which were never anything more than friendly, according to the Sunday Mirror.

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Awkward: Ben Cohen was reportedly forced to prove to his girlfriend Kristina Rihanoff (pictured) that he was nothing but friends with Emmerdale star Gemma Oaten

Meanwhile, Gemma - who played Rachel Breckle on the ITV soap until this summer - confessed that while she was initially 'confused' by the messages, there was no romantic relationship between them whatsoever.

It seems the pair's friendly correspondence was purely professional since Gemma has been worked with Ben's anti-bullying StandUp Foundation.

Ben and Gemma met at an event for the charity, swapping numbers before the 31-year-old beauty - who split from her boyfriend Andy Barnes this Spring - later gave a passionate speech at a gala for his foundation, where she evoked her own terrible experiences of bullying as a teenager.

However, a friend of Kristina's is alleged to have got the wrong end of the stick and told the ballroom professional that Ben was messaging Gemma, leading to an awkward text confrontation.

Caught in the middle: Former Emmerdale star Gemma was said to be chatting to Ben as friends after working together for his anti-bullying StandUp Foundation

An insider explained to the Sunday Mirror: 'He sent a frantic group text, apologising for the childish nature of it all but explaining that Kristina had been told he was pestering Gemma for a date.

'Kristina was clearly concerned someone else was getting her hands on her man... Gemma told Kristina she was a beautiful woman and she had a lovely trustworthy boyfriend in Ben.'

Things were soon cleared up since Kristina allegedly wrote back, suggesting they all meet up for a drink.

Gemma confirmed she had been texting Ben, telling the paper: '[The messages] were harmless but I was a little confused about what to make of them at first. I respect he has a girlfriend and we have never been more than just friends.’

No drama: Kristina was said to have been alerted to the text message conversation by a friend, but the trio have since smoothed things over

MailOnline has contacted all three stars' representatives for comment.

A spokesperson for Kristina told MailOnline: 'This story ridiculous tittle tattle. Kristina, Ben and Gemma are good friends who met through Ben's charity work. Kristina and Gemma have stayed in touch by Twitter and there was never any misunderstanding.'

Meanwhile, Kristina and Ben - who were paired on Strictly in 2013 - confirmed they were an item this summer following months of rumours about the nature of their connection.

Old flame: Meanwhile, Kristina's ex, boxing champ Joe Calzaghe was seen at an event in Hartlepool as part of a sportsman dinner tour of the UK on Friday night

A year after meeting the Siberian beauty, Ben split from his wife of 11 years, Abby, who has been vocal about their bitter break-up, recently branding it as 'the most traumatic thing to ever happen to me'.

Kristina, 38, has long denied being to blame for his marital split, confessing the speculation left her suicidal at her lowest ebb.

She previously told The Sun: 'I felt suicidal at that point in my life. I was having such dark thoughts - and I'm not a person who gives up easily.

'I know I'm strong but the abuse ... it just destroyed me emotionally. I couldn't find a single positive thing to tell myself,' she added.

Moving on: Ben and Kristina, who were partnered on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013, have been inseparable since announcing their relationship this summer