Kristina Rihanoff has told of her continuing agony as the anniversary of pal Caroline Flack’s death approaches, saying: “I should have reached out...I feel such guilt.”
The former Strictly Come Dancing pro became close to Caroline when she was in the 2014 series, eventually winning with dance pro Pasha Kovalev.
The pair even met up in Los Angeles where Kristina took a photo of them together, which she cherishes to this day.
Kristina, 43, says: “During Strictly she had a lot of difficulties, coming out of a relationship and so on.
"She had a few wobbles on the tour and didn’t want to perform, so we knew there were a lot of things going on with her emotional state.
“But she said then, ‘I’m in a better place, I’m focusing on new things’ and I was saying to her, ‘I really am happy for you.’”
But despite appearances in the pic, Kristina now fears Caroline was battling inner demons.
She says: “I still have that picture and she seems alright then. But we’re all very good at covering our sorrows.”
On Caroline’s death, Kristina felt guilty that she had not done more to help her friend.
She said: “Maybe it wouldn’t make a difference, but looking back I think maybe I should have reached out and I felt really sad about it. It didn’t leave my head for a long time.”
Flack, 40, took her own life while facing trial accused of assaulting boyfriend Lewis Burton.
She was found dead at home in Stoke Newington, North London, on February 15.
Kristina, who has a daughter, Milena, with rugby ace Ben Cohen who she first met on Strictly, is now a trained yoga instructor.
Her and Ben have been forced to close their yoga studio Soo Yoga in Northampton which opened in June 2019. She has moved online during the pandemic but says how she has missed out on income for ten months.
“We had not had any income for 10 months. It is really difficult but we have stayed very focused on how we are going to help our members and clients, we have kept going with the online classes as much as we can” she says.
Follow Kristina Rihanoff on @krihanoff for virtual yoga classes, bespoke dance classes and dedicated tips to get you feeling great for 2021. SooYoga specialises in all styles of yoga, hot yoga, pilates, bodyweight, strength and dance classes for all abilities and ages. Join classes online http://www.sooyoga.come.
*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch
