Kristina Rihanoff's Biography

Kristina was born in Siberia and was brought up in Vladivostok. Her father Igor was a musician and composer and her mother Larisa was an engineer.

When Kristina was 10-years-old her parents split up and for a number of years Kristina and her father did not speak.

As well as pursuing dancing, Kristina Rihanoff also gained a Master's degree in Tourism and Hospitality.

Then Kristina Rihanoff started competing internationally in Latin dance competitions and was invited to work in America by an exiled Russian coach.

In 2001, Kristina Rihanoff moved to Seattle in the USA.

She amassed good results in dance tournaments including second place at the American Rhythm Finals for three consecutive years and another second place in the World Exhibition at the Blackpool Dance Festival in the theatre-style category.

Kristina Rihanoff then partnered Michael Wentink and they won the South African Championship and were also semi-finalists at the 2007 Blackpool competition in the Latin American division.

Kristina has released instructional dance DVDs with Corky Ballas.

Kristina Rihanoff has written a make-up book for women in the dance world.

Kristina Rihanoff has known fellow Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Lilia Kopylova, since they met in Vladivostok when Kristina was 13.

In October 2015, she released an autobiography entitled Dancing out of Darkness.

Celebrity Big Brother

In 2016, Kristina Rihanoff became one of the housemates on Celebrity Big Brother.

Whilst in the Big Brother house she revealed that she and her partner Ben Cohen were expecting a baby.

Kristina was third person to be evicted from Celebrity Big Brother.

Kristina Rihanoff and Strictly Come Dancing

In 2015 she was paired with Daniel O’Donnell. They were the third pair to be voted off.

In 2014, Kristina Rihanoff was paired with Simon Webbe in Strictly Come Dancing. They reached the final and were joint runners-up with Frankie Bridge and Kevin Clifton.

In 2013, Kristina Rihanoff, looking delighted, was paired with Ben Cohen in Strictly Come Dancing. They lasted through half of the series, but Ben and Kristina were the eighth pair to be voted off. They later became a couple.

In 2012, Kristina Rihanoff was paired with Colin Salmon in series 10 of Strictly Come Dancing. They were the fourth couple to be voted off.

In 2011 Kristina Rihanoff was partnered with Jason Donovan on Strictly Come Dancing. They got to the final and came third.

In series 8 of Strictly Come Dancing, Kristina Rihanoff was paired with Goldie, however they were the first couple voted off the show.

In the 2009 series of Strictly Come Dancing, Kristina Rihanoff partnered Joe Calzaghe.

In September 2009, there were differing reports as to the nature of Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff's relationship.

In spite of often being saved by the public vote (as with Kristina's previous partner John Sargeant), Joe and Kristina were eliminated in the fifth week.

In the 2008 series of Strictly Come Dancing, Kristina Rihanoff partnered John Sergeant.

Against all odds John and Kristina survived week 9 of Strictly Come Dancing, but, on 19 November 2008, John Sergeant decided to leave the competition of his own accord, saying:

"The trouble is that there is now a real danger that I might win the competition. Even for me that would be a joke too far. I would like to thank Kristina and all those viewers who have been rooting for me through the series."

Like her former dance partner Brian Fortuna, it was Kristina Rihanoff's first appearance on Strictly Come Dancing.