BEN COHEN hoped big-money deals would make him the David Beckham of rugby – but was left flogging his own signed calendars as his relationship with Kristina Rihanoff failed.
Instead of photo shoots and endorsements, the hunk — who has just split from his former Strictly partner — ended up selling his racy year planners for £32.95 a pop.
Meanwhile, cash-conscious Kristina had to do her own manicures and moaned they could no longer eat out.
The pro dancer was snapped on Friday looking downcast as she wrapped herself in a fur coat leaving her yoga studio in Northamptonshire.
A source close to the couple revealed: “Ben had big plans to crack the modelling world, but in the end just wasn’t famous enough to be able to command the big money.
“His calendars have done OK, but only really appeal to the gay market.
“Kristina tried to use her showbiz contacts to help Ben.
“He landed various reality shows such as The Jump, The Celebrity Chase and The Real Full Monty, but they didn’t lead to anything long-lasting.”
Kristina recently admitted: “I’m much more money-conscious, and we don’t do as much, such as going out for food.
“I also don’t get my nails done as often.”
Their troubles were laid bare in court last September after Kristina was caught driving her £30,000 Audi without insurance.
She sobbed as Ben revealed a mistake by him meant Kristina was uninsured, meaning she faced a driving ban which would be financially devastating for her business as a dance instructor.
Kristina had appeared in court for driving without insurance, and blamed a mistake from Ben[/caption]
He also told the court how the pair were fighting to save their relationship, and said that they were mired in business debt.
Meanwhile, Ben’s ex-wife Abby Cohen — mother to his two daughters — has not spoken publicly on his break-up.
She parted ways with the rugby star in 2014, before he later got together with Kristina.
One pal said: “Abby’s a very dignified woman.
“To begin with she was very bitter and angry, but now she is a changed woman.
“The curse of Strictly really has come full circle.”
Megan: I’ll freeze eggs
MEGAN BARTON-HANSON has revealed that she is considering freezing her eggs.
The former Love Island star says she is unable to rush falling in love so she wants a back-up plan for having kids.
Megan, 31, said: “One hundred per cent, yeah, I know the process isn’t easy.
“If I get to 33 then I am going to think about it.
“I am stubborn and as much as I believe in falling in love, I don’t believe in forcing it.
“I can’t fake it.
“I want to travel the world more before I start thinking about settling down.”
Megan also confirmed she is still single after she was seen in January with a mystery man.
Of her recent dates, she said: “They start out nice and then they do weird things and give me the ick quickly.”
It comes as Megan – who was diagnosed with ADHD last summer – has launched a supplement called Foreea, a blend of chaga, lion’s mane, cordyceps, shiitake, maitake and reishi mushrooms.
She said: “As soon as I had these in my system for a few weeks, I felt calmer.”
Michaela is a real bruiser
DANCING On Ice finalist Michaela Strachan has revealed she acquired some questionable bruises during her training for the ITV show.
The Countryfile presenter will skate in the final tonight against Corrie star Sam Aston and ex-footballer Anton Ferdinand.
But Michaela said she has discovered that she bruises easily while learning to skate.
She said: “I’ve got a hand-print one on my thigh – when I went to the sauna yesterday, that looked dodgy!
“That’s where pro partner Mark Hanretty holds me.
“I’ve got bruises down my back where the boys are holding me for my showcase number.
“My body looks like a checkerboard.”
Sounds like Michaela should check herself into a spa after the final.
CULTURE CLUB are reuniting their original line-up for a huge cinematic documentary about the band.
It’s the first time warring exes, frontman Boy George and drummer Jon Moss, have worked together since the pair’s legal battle over lost earnings two years ago.
The top-secret flick, made by Propagate, which has made docs on Anna Nicole Smith and Hillary Clinton, is destined to be shown at film festivals then sold in a lucrative deal to a streaming giant such as Netflix.
A source said: “There will be juicy interviews and never-before-seen footage.
“It’s a must for fans.”
Sam has moved onto Raya after Zara
SAM THOMPSON nearly ran in to ex Zara McDermott on the red carpet at The Brit Awards last weekend.
But it seems that the I’m A Celeb winner is over their relationship and looking for love again.
I can reveal that the former Made In Chelsea star is on the exclusive celebrity dating app, Raya.
It was announced on New Year’s Day that Sam and Zara had called it quits after five years.
But now Sam has officially rejoined the dating scene with his profile, which even includes a picture of one of his and Zara’s cats and snaps from the Brits last Saturday.
Sam has described himself as a “presenter and podcaster” on the app, following the success of his Staying Relevant podcast with pal and Strictly star Pete Wicks.
He has also included snaps of himself with sister Louise’s son Leo and photos of him in the Australian jungle after he landed a hosting role on I’m A Celeb’s spin-off show Unpacked following his win on the series in 2023.
And in a move that could rile Zara, Sam has included a cute picture of their fluffy white cat Albus.
Zara recently dedicated an Instagram post to their cats – Albus and Cedric – on Valentine’s Day, captioned: “I love you more than life!!!
“You are two of the best things that have ever happened to me.
“Is it normal to shed a tear when looking at pics of your cats when you’re away from them?”
Sam has also linked his profile to the song Switch by rapper 6LACK which includes lyrics about a girl becoming famous then having a “change of heart”.
The lyrics are: “A small town girl, now she’s all famous (Switch). Maybe it’s my fault, nah.
“Ain’t like I’ve been livin’ in the dark, nah.
“I told you everything from the start. And you the one that had the change of heart.
“Girl, you can have it. After all the damage.”
Looks like things just got a little bit awkward.
LILY ALLEN has confessed that she can’t forgive husband David Harbour after their break-up.
The singer and actor opened up about her marriage woe at her Miss Me? Live podcast event at London’s Hackney Empire on Friday alongside co-host Miquita Oliver.
Lily split from the Stranger Things actor last year after she found his “secret profile” on a dating app.
Speaking after their split, Lily said she “holds a grudge”, adding: “If someone crosses me, you are done.
“I did used to scrap with people but it was related to my active addiction.
“I would sometimes lash out but it is not part of my life any more.”
MOLLY RAINFORD and Tyler West think they have what it takes to win Race Across The World.
I can reveal the couple, who met on Strictly in 2022, are set to star on the BBC One series.
A source said: “Molly and Tyler are bound to make a great team.”
KATHERINE RYAN has Red Nose Day to a tee with this look.
The comic wore the Little Miss Fabulous top, on sale at TK Maxx, to raise money for Comic Relief, which returns for its 40th year on March 21.
Caught Live: Gracie Adams
GRACIE ABRAMS set the stage alight at London’s O2 Arena on Thursday with hits from her The Secret Of Us tour – and her devoted fans couldn’t get enough.
The US singer, who had to postpone earlier shows in Brussels and Nottingham due to illness, was back and fighting fit – apart from period cramps, as she told her sympathetic, mainly female audience.
Her No1 hit That’s So True went down a storm, as did Close To You, I Love You, I’m Sorry and Us, featuring her songwriting pal Taylor Swift.
Gracie played guitar and piano as she belted out her Gen-Z break-up anthems.
In a sequinned gown with bow detail, she sat in a bedroom stage set, just like her own room where she began her career singing to her fans on YouTube during lockdown.
She repeatedly called London her “home away from home” – which may be to do with spending quality time with her boyfriend, Irish actor Paul Mescal.
He wasn’t at the gig – missing a great girls’ night out.
