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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Kirsty McCormack

Strictly host Claudia Winkleman 'so sorry' for curse comment about Kristina Rihanoff

Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman has reportedly apologised after suggesting that Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff got together when they were partnered on the BBC Show back in 2013.

The couple are in a relationship and share daughter Milena together, and were plagued by Strictly curse rumours when Ben's marriage to wife Abby ended.

Ben and Kristina have always insisted that their affair did not begin until the year after he took part in Strictly Come Dancing.

During her appearance on the latest episode of The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan on Channel 4, Claudia touched on the couple's romance.

Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman has reportedly apologised to Kristina Rihanoff (BBC)

"The couple I knew had got together were Ben and Kristina,' Claudia reportedly said on stage at Television Centre in West London.

According to the Daily Mail, when Kristina learned of Claudia's 'lies', she threatened to take legal action and even contacted the 50-year-old presenter.

It's believed that Claudia has since apologised and allegedly said: "[I] am so, so sorry. I thought the question was about who has found longtime love [via Strictly].

Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen were paired on Strictly together in 2013 and now have a daughter together (PA)

"I said, 'Ben and Kristina', excitedly, and then I said Stacey and Kevin [referring to TV presenter Stacey Dooley and former Strictly pro Kevin Clifton, who have been dating since 2019, after being paired together on the show in 2018]."

Claudia reportedly added: "So sorry, I'm a moron. It was a twosecond moment."

The Mirror has contacted both representatives for Claudia and Kristina asking for comment, as well as Channel 4.

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