Entertainment
Claudia Winkleman ‘sorry’ for Strictly affair comment after angering ex-pro Kristina Rihanoff-Charlotte Manning-Entertainment – Metro
Claudia will appear on tonight’s The Lateish Show With Mo Gilligan.
Claudia has been part of Strictly for over a decade (Picture: Rex/Dave Benett/Getty Images for 101 Studios)
Claudia Winkleman has reportedly apologised for comments she made about Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen, made during a recording of The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan earlier this week.
Claudia has been part of the Strictly Come Dancing family for years and has been presenting the main show with Tess Daly since 2014.
This means she’s seen dozens of contestants and pros don the dance floor, and has even witnessed the birth of some romances.
However, she’s found herself under fire after comments made about one couple, in particular – Ben and Kristina.
The pair took part in the 2013 and later ended up as a real-life couple, with Kristina giving birth to their first child together, a daughter named Milena, in 2016.
But whilst recording the upcoming edition of Mo’s Channel 4 programme, set to air on Friday, she apparently claimed that former pro, Kristina, and her now-partner Ben began their romance whilst participating in the dance show back in 2013.
Ben and Kristina were paired up in 2013 (Picture: BBC/PA)
She reportedly told an audience at Television Centre in West London: ‘The couple I knew had got together were Ben and Kristina.’
Ben was married at the time to wife Abby Blayney with two daughters Harriette and Isabelle, but the pair separated in 2014, shortly after the series came to a close.
According to the Daily Mail, Claudia has now apologised for the supposed remarks, claiming she slightly misunderstood the question.
Claudia and Tess host Strictly together (Picture: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
The publication reports Claudia said: ‘[I] am so, so sorry.’ she explained: ‘I thought the question was about who has found long-time love [via Strictly].
‘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].’
She continued: ‘So sorry, I’m a moron. It was a two-second moment.’
Kristina reportedly threatened to take legal action against the presenter, who has since issued a heartfelt apology.
It’s not yet known whether the remarks will be cut from tonight’s programme.
Ben’s ex-wife Abby previously told The Sun On Sunday a year after their split: ‘My husband, who I was with for 23 years, unconditionally loved and was completely loyal to in every respect, has left me for a f**king Russian dancer.
‘The last two years have been the most traumatic thing to ever happen to me. He’s done the dirty on me. I want people to know.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted representatives for Claudia Winkleman, Channel 4 and Kristina Rihanoff for comment.
The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan airs tonight at 10pm on Channel 4.
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