ALL FLOOR LOVE Kristina
STRICTLY STARTS. AND SO DO THE RUMOURS Charmer could sweep Laura off her feet
Janine Yaqoob Strictly veteran Kristina Rihanoff believes she could have spotted the show’s next dance romance.
The Russian pro dancer met her own partner – rugby player Ben Cohen – on the BBC show.
And she thinks Irish TV presenter Laura Whitmore and professional Giovanni Pernice – who were paired up on the launch show last night –have the potential to become a couple.
Giovanni , 25, fell for his partner in the last series, actress Georgia May Foote.
But the couple revealed last week that they had split up.
And new mum Kristina reckons glamorous Laura, 31, could help Ital ian Giovanni bounce back.
Kristina, 38, said: “This is very interesting.
“It will be hard for Giovanni to go into the show with a broken heart, but working with Laura will take his mind off it.
“She is a gorgeous woman. They look fantastic together.
“Giovanni will charm her with Italian humour. Who knows what will happen?”
Strictly has a long history of both mak ing and breaking couples. Kristina had a four-year romance with boxer Joe Calzaghe after dancing with him in 2009.
After their split, she was partnered with Ben, 37, in 2013 and they later became a couple.
Kristina gave birth to daughter Milena in June and is taking a break from Strictly to care for the baby.
Enjoying the time at home with her family, she says it’s great having her life back because the hit show is “so demanding”.
She said: “The show is ful l- on. It ’ s ext remely di f f i cult physi ca l ly, emotionally and mentally.
“It’s crazy hours – you get to the point where you’re broken, you’re tired. You don’t want to do another set but you have to perform.”
Kristina admits she will be a little jealous watching her colleagues on the dance floor this weekend.
She said: “I’ ll be watching this weekend. I am going to miss it. It’s been part of my life for eight years.”
She added that since becoming a mum, she has a newfound respect for the celebrities who juggle their day jobs with Strictly – particularly those who also have kids.
She said: “I understand now that I have to get up at 4am for my baby, but I’m not having to do Strictly.
“She’s the only thing that could get me out of bed at that time.”