Strictly couple laden with debt 'fighting not to lose everything'

FORMER Strictly Come Dancing star Kristina Rihanoff and partner Ben Cohen are so in debt that they are "fighting not to lose everything", a court has heard.

- Adam Dutton

Cohen, a rugby World Cup winner with England, appeared alongside Rihanoff, 46, after she was caught driving her £30,000 Audi Q3 without insurance.

Cohen, 45, told Northampton Crown Court that he had ignored a text message from his insurance company.

Rihanoff, who appeared in court under the name Kristina Pchenitchnykh, was caught driving a 72-plate Audi in Horsemarket, Northampton, on April 4.

The Russian dancer was given six points on her licence but faced a ban for totting up 12 penalty points. She was appealing the conviction for driving without insurance with Cohen appearing as her witness.

Rihanoff avoided a ban after Recorder Louise Cox accepted her plea of "exceptional hardship".