Kristina Rihanoff was "suicidal" after internet trolls bullied her.

Kristina Rihanoff

Kristina Rihanoff

The 'Strictly Come Dancing' coach dated her co-star Vincent Simone and partner Joe Calzaghe after she joined the show in 2008 but revealed the abuse she received because of the relationships from people online "destroyed" her.

Speaking in an interview with The Sun newspaper, Kristina, 37, said: "I felt suicidal at that point in my life. I was having such dark thoughts -- and I'm not a person who gives up easily.

"I know that I'm strong but the abuse... it just destroyed me emotionally. I couldn't find a single positive thing to tell myself."

It all started when the Russian dancer became close to Vincent on the Strictly tour.

Kristina revealed: "He was very charming and he was paying me a lot of attention. I wanted someone to share my stories with and to talk to."

But the Italian heartthrob broke off their relationship and confessed he had a girlfriend who was pregnant and Kristina felt "used".

Kristina said: "I felt absolutely sick to my stomach. My legs almost gave way, they were shaking so much.

"I asked him if he had just found out about her pregnancy and he was honest enough to say 'no' and she was four months pregnant.

"I was so upset, so angry. I felt completely used. I will never forgive him for what he did to me."

Later, the blonde beauty - who is now dating her former dancing partner Ben Cohen - fell for boxing champion Joe but she soon realised they weren't suited.

She said: "It's funny how you can be so right for each other in so many ways and yet the timing can be so wrong. Our relationship had blossomed rapidly and we fell in love quickly.

"But Joe just wanted to go on holiday all the time and drink with his mates. He had achieved all his goals in life but there was still a lot that I wanted to achieve."


Tagged in