'The pain and hurt must be horrific': Ben Cohen's mother-in-law opens up about daughter's marriage split after seeing cosy snap of him and Kristina Rihanoff

By Rebecca Davison

Published: 03:36 EST, 21 September 2014 | Updated: 15:28 EST, 21 September 2014

Strictly star Ben Cohen, 36, announced he has split from his wife, Abigail soon after pictures emerged of him with his arm around professional dancer Kristina Rihanoff on a packed tube.

And now his mother-in-law, Felicity Blayney-Bassouls, 66, has revealed her anger at the former rugby player, in an interview with Simon Wright for the Sunday Mirror.

'I feel so sad for Abigail. She loves Ben. Abby is my daughter and I would never have wanted her to stay with a husband who may not love her.'

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All over: Ben Cohen has split from his wife of 12 years and his mother-in-law, Felicity Blayney-Bassouls has spoken of her anger

All over: Ben Cohen has split from his wife of 12 years and his mother-in-law, Felicity Blayney-Bassouls has spoken of her anger

She also admitted that she emailed the star after seeing the picture of him and Kristina.

Felicity told the paper: 'I want to tell Ben Cohen that he had a beautiful, loving wife, two gorgeous girls and a lovely home. Now what has he got?'

On Tuesday - the night before announcing the end of his marriage with wife Abby - Ben supported his former Strictly Come Dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff at her charity event in London.

 
Voicing her opinion: Felicity was not impressed after seeing a picture of Ben looking close to Kristina Rihanoff on the tube - the pair are seen here competing on Strictly Come Dancing

Voicing her opinion: Felicity was not impressed after seeing a picture of Ben looking close to Kristina Rihanoff on the tube - the pair are seen here competing on Strictly Come Dancing

The former rugby player was among the many Strictly stars from past and present who made their way to Mansion House for the glittering gala, held in aid of Kristina's Dot Com Children's Fund.

On Wednesday, the former couple's representative announced: 'Ben and Abby Cohen have agreed to take time apart to deal with some marital issues but remain fully committed to the welfare of their children.

'There is no third party involved, and Ben and Abby now ask that their privacy and that of their family be respected at this difficult time.'

Amicable: Lawyers for Ben and Abby insist there is no third party involved in their split

Amicable: Lawyers for Ben and Abby insist there is no third party involved in their split

 

Ben and Abby met in 1995 and got married in 2003. They have six-year-old twin daughters Harriette and Isabelle.

Earlier this week, Abby denied rumours her marriage was in trouble, telling The Sun: 'Of course it’s rubbish. Of course it’s wrong. I’ve been with him since I was 16.'

Meanwhile, the Sunday People claim that 36-year-old Kristina has reportedly been banned from dancing with married men on future series of the hit BBC1 show, for fear her partners will fall for her.

MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff for comment.

Supportive pal: On Tuesday - the night before announcing the end of his marriage with wife Abby - Ben supported his former Strictly Come Dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff at her charity event in London

Supportive pal: On Tuesday - the night before announcing the end of his marriage with wife Abby - Ben supported his former Strictly Come Dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff at her charity event in London