Exclusive: 'Strictly' stars Kristina and Joe on her health scare and their plans for children

Kristina Rihanoff, the Russian blonde who seduced former World Champion boxer Joe Calzaghe during the last series of Strictly Come Dancing, has told HELLO! magazine how the Welshman has a softer side, and nursed her through a secret health scare earlier this year.



The professional dancer, who this series is partnered with DJ Goldie, had an operation to remove a benign ovarian cyst. 

“It was a really scary experience because I want to have children one day,” she told HELLO!magazine, as she and Joe posed for an exclusive photoshoot at their home in Wales. 

The health problem occurred in the early days of her relationship with Joe, and she admitted she was unsure of how he would react. 

“It’s one of those things that can test a relationship,” said the Latin and ballroom dancer who was married to American dancer Brian Jolly for five years and had relationships with Corky Ballas, a professional dancer on US show Dancing With The Stars, and her Strictly co-star Vincent Simone.

Joe, however, was a tower of strength. “Joe was just there for me,” said Kristina. 

“He took me to the hospital, brought me back to Wales, was around me 24/7, feeding me, helping me, and that’s when I was just taken so deeply by how caring he is. 

Joe, who has two sons with his ex-wife Mandy, and previously dated model Jo-Emma Larvin for five years, feels his relationship with Kristina is special. 

“She’s [Kristina] the person that I’ve gelled with most out of anybody in my life. 

Oil's well with Joe and Kristina: Tender moments prove Calzaghe is still in love with his dance queen

Their nine-month relationship was said to be on the ropes – but boxing champion Joe Calzaghe and ballroom dancer Kristina Rihanoff looked very much an item while on holiday in Spain last week.

In fact the couple, who met on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing, even sparked rumours of an engagement when the Siberian-born dancer was spotted with a ring on the fourth finger of her left hand.

They certainly seemed to have renewed their passion during the luxury break at a five-star Marbella hotel, sharing a kiss by the pool and tenderly rubbing suntan oil on to each other’s bodies.

But for most of their romantic getaway, the lotion would not have been necessary, thanks to poor weather on the Costa Del Sol.

They were forced to spend most of their time in the hotel spa, but did get the chance to top up their tans when the sun emerged for a few hours one afternoon.

One onlooker said the couple ‘could hardly take their hands off each other. They were every inch the love birds, and looked very happy together’.