KRISTINA BLAST FOR LOVE RIVAL SHIRLEY

Rihanoff: Anton should have got Len job

FORMER Strictly star Kristina Rihanoff has sensationally claimed new head judge Shirley Ballas should not have been given the job.

The blonde babe reckons Anton Du Beke would have been her choice for the panel.

FORMER Strictly star Kristina Rihanoff says her love rival Shirley Ballas was the wrong choice for the show’s new head judge.

The pair have history after Kristina had a relationship with Shirley’s ex-husband.

And in a shock dig, Kristina has claimed show dancer Anton Du Beke would have been her choice for the panel instead of Shirley.

After Len Goodman quit the show last year, fans’ favourite Anton was thought to be a frontrunner to replace him.

But in the summer BBC bosses revealed that they had hired dancer Shirley.

Kristina told the

Daily Star Sunday Anton could have followed in the footsteps of show legend Sir Bruce Forsyth, who died in August. She said: “Anton would make a good judge as he is known and loved by the audience and he has the correct personality, if you wish. He is like Bruce.”

But she added: “If they want another woman on the panel then I will take the job.”

Shirley was married to fellow dancer Corky Ballas for more than 20 years before their romance ended. But before they were even divorced he started a relationship with Kristina.

Last month he spilled the beans about dating them both – even comparing their performances in bed. Kristina insisted his comments are an issue for Shirley and Corky to deal with.

The Russian babe, who has a daughter with rugby ace Ben Cohen, said: “Whatever is there is their problem. It is not mine. My main concern is my family and my child. I don’t go out of my way to read it. There are lots of people who say things about me or others, but what people say about me is their business.”

Corky also moaned Kristina was “cold as ice” to him in private despite being red-hot on the dance floor. Kristina hit back: “I don’t have time for that kind of thing. There are so many other things that are much more important in my life.”

Appearing on Strictly for eight years made Kristina a household name. During her stint she mentored stars including Jason Donovan and Joe Calzaghe.

This year’s celeb line-up has been criticised by some viewers, who claim contestants including Susan Calman and Joe McFadden aren’t famous enough. But Kristina said: “It’s had a bit of a bashing, but I think it is quite good and versatile.

“You have different ages and abilities and different characters. I think it is great to have different people on board.” Kristina is convinced rival shows including ITV’s Dance Dance Dance can’t compete with Strictly. She said: “I watched one episode of Dance Dance Dance on ITV and that was it. I didn’t understand it.

“On Saturday nights you actually want to see something exciting. That is why The X Factor and Strictly have the monopoly on it. You want to see a struggle and a battle. Now these Saturday night shows don’t have any flavour to them. “Where is the jeopardy and emotion?

“And putting American judges on the panel – it might look amazing but we don’t know who they are. There are a lot of things that could have been done differently.”

She added: “Strictly has been going for 14 years but they do have a strong support from the public. It is probably the only show that you can watch with all your family with the kids and granny.

“It is good entertainment and a bit of glamour. We all need that at this time and age. It is not easy right now. A bit of glamour on TV’s not a bad thing.”