Scorned wife hits back at ‘selfish’ rugby ace Cohen

NEW year couldn’t have come soon enough for the wife of former England rugby star Ben Cohen. ‘2015 is a year I would like to put behind me,’ says Abby Cohen, whose husband embarked on a passionate affair with Strictly Come Dancing man-eater Kristina Rihanoff after he was partnered with her by the BBC.

‘It’s one that has brought me many tears, of joy and also great sadness.’

Abby, who has seven-yearold twin daughters with Cohen, 37, is divorcing him after 11 years of marriage.

‘I lost what I thought was the most important person to me and my life, only to make me realise that, actually, I haven’t,’ she says of Ben, who campaigns against bullying. Russian-born Kristina, 38, angrily denied that her romance began before Cohen separated from Abby.

In a picture shared on social media, Abby posed lifting her Christmas tree above her head (left) to prove she doesn’t need a chap around the house, adding: ‘Who needs a man! Not me.’

She says: ‘I chose not to sell my story for the sake of my kids and being the bigger person, and not to make money from someone else’s selfishness.’

In a final dig at Cohen, she adds: ‘I am stronger in a way where respect, caring, loving and being appreciated is key and I, unfortunately, now don’t tolerate those who don’t have the same attitude towards me.’