‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judge Craig Revel Horwood has admitted professional dancer Kristina Rihanoff was “gutted” to have been partnered with Daniel O’Donnell in this year’s competition.
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Craig implied the partnership was a deliberate choice by producers, as Kristina has become romantically involved with professional dancer Vincent Simone and her former dancing partner, Joe Calzaghe.
She is currently dating Ben Cohen, who she was also partnered with on ‘Strictly’ back in 2013, a relationship and has faced a backlash for the relationship, as the rugby player was married when they were on the show.
Kristina Rihanoff and Daniel O'Donnell
Speaking to The Sun, Craig admitted that this may have contributed to her landing the Irish crooner as a partner this year, explaining: “When she first got paired with [Daniel O’Donnell], I think she was gutted! But it was rather obvious she wasn’t going to get a hot, young celeb after everything that’s happened.
“It’s natural to fall in love with your dance partner when you’re spending so much time together and Kristina managed it a few times! But somehow I don’t think that will be the case this time around.”
Craig Revel Horwood
However, while Kristina might have been “gutted” about her ‘Strictly’ partner, as the couple managed to get a respectable 24 points as they made their dancing debut this weekend, finishing in the middle of the leaderboard.
Earlier this month, it was claimed that Ola Jordan was also unhappy with her choice of celebrity partner, after it was announced she’d be dancing with Olympian Iwan Thomas., as she was reportedly hoping to dance with bookies’ favourite, Peter Andre.
A source said at the time: “Ola had a massive meltdown. She was ranting and raving as she genuinely thought they’d win. To make it worse, Iwan is based miles away.”
'Strictly Come Dancing' continues on Saturday at 6.20pm on BBC One.