Ex-rugby ace Ben Cohen branded 'bully' by mum-in-law after links to Strictly beauty

FORMER England rugby ace Ben Cohen was branded a "bully" by his mother-in-law today who said he had "broken her daughter's heart" after being linked with Strictly Come Dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff.

Ben Cohen denies relationship with Kristina Rihanoff led to marriage splitBen Cohen slammed rumours that his relationship with Kristina Rihanoff led to his marriage split [GETTY]

In an increasingly messy domestic row, Cohen initially attempted to calm speculation over his recent separation from wife Abby by taking to Facebook at the weekend to state his case.

But this backfired spectacularly today when among the thousands of messages of support on social media was a blistering broadside towards the rugby World Cup winner - from his wife's mother.

Cohen, 36, and wife Abby separated earlier this month claiming "there is no third party involved".

But since then, he has been linked with his former Strictly Come Dancing partner Miss Rihanoff.

On Sunday, the retired rugby star - whose 'Stand Up' campaign champions victims of bullying - turned to Facebook to try and set the record straight about what he branded "malicious innuendo".

He slammed speculation that his relationship with Strictly siren Ms Rihanoff, 37, had led to his marriage split.

Ben Cohen Strictly Come DancingThe pair appeared on Strictly Come Dancing together [GETTY]

You have broken my daughter's heart and the little girls' and also my heart

Felicity Bassouls

"It is a sad world when two adults cannot have a friendship," he added.

However, his words clearly infuriated his wife's mother Felicity Bassouls, who quickly responded on Cohen's Facebook page accusing the bullying victims' champion of himself being a bully.

Ms Bassouls, 66, wrote: "I cannot believe what Ben Cohen has written - I am afraid to say, when you are a celebrity and in the limelight, you have to treat people with the same respect that you expect from the public."

She then accused her son-in-law of intimidating and bullying the newspaper reporter who first broke the story of an alleged romance, adding: "You intimidated her and bullied her very badly.

"I have experienced a great deal of bullying from you myself. Your behaviour has been so disrespectful and very intimidating not just to myself but my husband also.

"I know you very well Mr Ben Cohen and I am not going to stand back and let you bully and intimidate me again.

"You have broken my daughter's heart and the little girls' and also my heart."

Ben and Abby Cohen splitBen and Abby during happier times in 2003 [GETTY]

She added: "You are the bully not others."

Cohen and Abby met in 1995 before marrying in 2003. They have six-year-old twin daughters Harriette and Isabelle.

Abby initially denied rumours her marriage was in trouble, saying: "Of course it's rubbish. Of course it's wrong. I've been with him since I was 16."

But the pair later announced they had split.

Last week, as speculation swirled about his relationship with his former Strictly partner, Cohen posted on his Facebook page: "A tough day..." again attracting a tidal wave of support for the celebrity.

But this also prompted an angry riposte from Ms Bassouls who wrote: "If you play with fire, then expect to get your fingers burned, but make sure you do it with someone worthwhile - think of your wife, little girls and her family - don't break hearts over your own stupidity!!"

As well as support, there were also other dissenters. Sharon Boland wrote: "Oh, boo hoo!! Get over yourself."

This also attracted the attention of mother-in-law Ms Bassouls, who posted soon after: "Well Done Sharon Boland - great comment.

"I know Ben C personally, his wife is my daughter, thank you for that comment!"

Ben Cohen and Kristina dance the Rumba to Make You Feel My Love - Strictly Come Dancing - BBC

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