Kristina Rihanoff

In 2011 Kristina was paired with former Neighbours star Jason Donovan. The dynamic duo proved to be a formidable partnership, clocking up the most rehearsal hours of all contestants and taking numerous perfect 40 scores. Sadly, Kristina and Jason were knocked out in the final in Blackpool, taking third place.

In her first year on Strictly, Kristina was paired with John Sergeant. John and Kristina hit the headlines several times over the series, until their departure after Show 9.

In 2009 Kristina bagged herself more than just a dance partner when she took to the floor with boxer Joe Calzaghe. They danced their way through to week five, and finished the competition as a real-life couple.

Background

Kristina was born in Siberia and she fell in love with music and dance at a young age. She entered her first dance competition at seven years old. She took part in scores of competitions from then on and became a renowned dance champion in Russia.

In 2004, Kristina and her partner were invited to compete in the World Exhibition at the Blackpool Dance Festival. Together they placed second in the Theatre Style category.

Kristina then returned to the International Style Latin circuit with a new partner, Michael Wentink, one of Latin dance's most famous masters. Kristina and Michael promptly won the South African Championship and were also semi-finalists at the 2007 British Open in Blackpool, in the Latin American Division.