Strictly's Daniel O'Donnell has suggested Kristina Rihanoff probably deserved to be paired with "a young sports star" instead of him.
The 53-year-old Irish crooner is partnered up with professional Russian dancer Rihanoff - who is currently dating former partner and ex-rugby player Ben Cohen - but he told The Sun: "It would have been nice for Kristina to get a young sports star.
"She got me, but she seems happy enough."
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On Rihanoff's relationship with Cohen - who's still married to his wife of 13 years Abbie - O'Donnell continued: "None of us can help who you fall in love with."
He was, however, keen to assure that it's "strictly dancing" between the pair, and that his wife Majella "was never threatened" by their coupling.
"I think the three of us could be good friends. It is strictly dancing between Kristina and I," he added.
Controversial Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood recently made reference to Rihanoff's relationships with previous celebrities in past years of the show, and stirred up trouble when he opined that she was "gutted" to be paired with O'Donnell.
"When she got paired with [O'Donnell], I think she was gutted!" Horwood said. "But it was rather obvious she wasn't going to get a hot, young celeb after everything that has happened.
"It's natural to fall in love with your dance partner when you're spending so much time together, and Kristina's managed a few times! But somehow I don't think that will be the case this time around."
Rihanoff also dated retired boxer Joe Calzaghe when they were paired together on the show in in 2009.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One this weekend.
Naomi Gordon is news writer mainly covering entertainment news with a focus on celebrity interviews and television.
