Strictly's Kristina Rihanoff would like to return in same-sex couple with Nicole Scherzinger
Strictly Come Dancing star Kristina Rihanoff has said she would love to return to the show – dancing as part of a same-sex couple.
The 42-year-old professional dancer has not competed on the BBC show since 2015 but has said her dream celebrity partner to return with would be The Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger.
Rihanoff told The Sun: “'I would come back for that. To be involved in that would be very special. It's way overdue. The pros have been saying this for a long time.
“I teach men, women and gay couples all the time for things like weddings. I don't see anything different in it, it would be great.”
Asked who she would like to dance with she said: “It would be Nicole Scherzinger. She's an incredible dancer and musician, so she'd be amazing feeling the music. She's very good-looking too.”
Read more: BBC bosses hopeful 'Strictly' will air as normal this autumn
There have long been calls for Strictly Come Dancing to feature a same-sex couple.
During last year’s series, male dancers Johannes Radebe and Graziano Di Prima performed the programme’s first individual same sex routine.
But the pressure has been ramped up for a competing same-sex couple after ITV’s Dancing On Ice paired Steps singer Ian “H” Watkins with professional skater Matt Evers this year.
Reality TV judge Robert Rinder - who competed on Strictly in 2016 - has revealed he’s been invited to perform with a man in the 2020 Christmas special.
Read more: 'Strictly Come Dancing' confirms professional dancers for 2020
Rihanoff last competed in the show in 2015 paired with singer Daniel O’Donnell, and eliminated in week four.
She is currently in a relationship with rugby player Ben Cohen - her dance partner on the show in 2013 - and they share a three-year-old daughter, Mila.
Rihanoff also dated boxer Joe Calzaghe for four years after they were paired on the show in 2009.
