A former Strictly Come Dancing star is now set to take on the gruelling Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins mere weeks after his unexpected split from his partner amidst financial challenges.

Ben Cohen, 46, may have found fame on the rugby pitch but he also left his mark on the Strictly dance floor a decade ago.

Rumours are swirling that Ben is gearing up for the small screen once more after committing to Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. Sources suggest the former England international has faced tough times recently due to his relationship issues but is keen to dive into fresh work commitments.

"Ben has had a difficult few months with his split from Kristina, having to sell their home and also dealing with mounting business debts," an insider divulged.

"Celeb SAS is not only a good pay day for him, but it's a new challenge to immerse himself into. Ben is obviously a sportsman and a very physical, competitive player, so if anyone can handle the SAS recruitment process, it's him," they told The Sun.

Indeed, this is not Ben's initial foray into reality TV. As mentioned, he showcased his moves in September 2013 on the eleventh season of Strictly, reports the Mirror.

Fast forward to January 2016, and he was competing on the third installment of The Jump. Triumphing in March 2016, he outperformed Dean Cain to clinch the win.

In 2017, he found himself up against the Chaser as a participant on season 7, episode 8 of The Celebrity Chase. Come January 2018, he was racing for a good cause in And They're Off! supporting Sport Relief.

Then in December 2023, and Ben strutted his stuff on ITV's The Real Full Monty, all to bolster cancer awareness.

During his stint on Strictly, it wasn't just the glitterball trophy Ben chased; he also fell for his professional dance partner Kristina Rihanoff. In March, The Sun broke the news about Ben and Kristina's relationship ending.

The pair welcomed their daughter Milena back in 2016, which was also when they snapped up their family nest, and they got engaged in 2022 – only now they've put the house on the market. Former England rugby legend Ben split from his wife Abby to be with Russian dancer Kristina after they got close on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2013.

But pals have spilled that the romance has hit the rocks, blaming money woes.

A confidante disclosed: "Ben left his wife, Abby, for Kristina, only to now split with her. It's like the curse in reverse. This will be like karma for Abby; she was so upset when Ben left her. It's like he has got his comeuppance."

One source relayed: "The past six months have been hell for them, and it has torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their family, they have chosen to go forward as separate individuals. Those close to them who know them as a couple had hoped they would be able to work things out, but for now it's over, and it looks like there's no going back."

Difficulties cropped up after the duo embarked on a joint business venture, with Kristina also teaching as a dance instructor. Kristina herself acknowledged that they had "invested everything we've ever had" into their enterprise, Soo Yoga, converting her zest for fitness into a commercial pursuit.

But their financial stability was rocked by the onset of the pandemic. Their monetary woes turned up in the public domain this previous September during a court hearing when Kristina was discovered driving her £30,000 Audi without proper insurance.

The former pair put their Northampton residence onto the market, and Ben's role as a director in their mutual yoga venture has ceased. The Daily Mail reports that the deluxe five-bedroom property in Northamptonshire has been sold for £1.75 million, a significant climb from the £950,000 the couple paid when it was initially purchased.

Edinburgh Live has approached Channel 4 for comment.

Strictly Come Dancing is available on BBC iPlayer

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