'I'm a traditionalist': Strictly judge Len Goodman has his say on Kristina Rihanoff's 'unfortunate' relationship with Ben Cohen

Published: 11:57 EST, 20 November 2015 | Updated: 03:31 EST, 21 November 2015

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Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen confirmed they are in a relationship this summer following months of rumours.

And while the professional dancer and her former celeb partner on Strictly Come Dancing are keeping their blossoming romance relatively under wraps, the BBC show's head judge Len Goodman has had his say.

Len, 71, has told Richard Barber for the Daily Mirror that he doesn't approve of dancers on Strictly dating their married celeb partners.

Speaking out: Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman has had his say on Kristina Rihanoff's relationship with her celebrity partner on the show, Ben Cohen

Len, who has headed up the Strictly panel since the show started in 2004, said of Kristina's relationship: 'She's with rugby player Ben Cohen who was married. Kristina's still with him but I thought it was very unfortunate.'

'I'm a traditionalist. And I don't like it if one of the celebrities is already married or in a serious relationship. But what people get up to is their business. It's not for me to impose my standards on them. It's their lives, they must do what they want,' he added.

Len added that he wishes 'single' Strictly matches luck, citing former pro dancer Flavia Cacace and her marriage to EastEnders star Jimi Mistry, after they were partnered on the show in 2010.

A representative for Kristina declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline.

Chemistry: Rugby player Ben split from his wife Abby, in September 2014 - one year after the sportsman and Kristina competed together on the celebrity dance programme

Ben, 37, split from his wife Abby, the mother of his two children, in September 2014 - it came just one year after the sportsman and Kristina competed together on the celebrity dance programme.

In an interview with the Mail on Sunday in May, Kristina insisted she and Ben were both single when they started their relationship, explaining: 'We are both single people. We enjoy each other's company. We work together.'

Speaking to The Sun newspaper, this September Kristina revealed for their first time that the couple were in a relationship, explaining: '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.'

Four year relationship: Before her relationship with Ben, the Russian dancer began a passionate romance with former boxer Joe Calzaghe, after they were paired together on the 2009 series of Strictly

Kristina, 38, has long denied being to blame for Ben's 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.'

Before her relationship with Ben, the Russian dancer began a passionate romance with former boxer Joe Calzaghe, after they were paired together on the 2009 series of Strictly. According to the Express Joe broke up with his long-term partner Jo-Emma Larvin weeks before he competed on Strictly.

Kristina and Joe moved in together a year later and he bought her an eternity ring ring for Christmas 2010, but the couple went on to split in 2013 over the dancer's desire to start a family.

Strictly veteran: Kristina, who was eliminated from this series of the show with partner Daniel O'Donnell in week four, was seen rehearsing for this Saturday's Strictly show in Blackpool on Friday