Daniel O’Donnell has been partnered with Kristina Rihanoff on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
The 53-year-old crooner – who is a devout Catholic – was reportedly paired with the professional dancer nicknamed the Siberian Siren during Wednesday’s (02.09.15) pre-recording of the pairing show in a bid to break the "Strictly curse".
Kristina is currently in a relationship with retired rugby star Ben Cohen, who split from his wife Abby after it was claimed he’d had an affair with his professional partner on the 2013 series of the BBC dance contest.
And the blonde beauty also previously dated her 2009 partner Joe Calzaghe – who dumped his long-term girlfriend for her – and had an affair with fellow professional Vincent Simone in 2008.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "It was thought Daniel was the perfect person to pair with Kristina amid the controversies.
"Going public with Ben this summer has really put her in the spotlight and the BBC doesn’t want to risk looking like its courting drama by pairing her with someone there could be flirtations with.
"Daniel is such a wholesome character, he was deemed the most appropriate partner."
BBC bosses are now said to be confident there will be no flirtations between Kristina and Daniel – who married wife Majella McLennan in 2002.
Daniel O’Donnell partnered with Kristina Rihanoff
