'He'd absolutely kill it': Kristina Rihanoff tips unlikely figure to become new Strictly Come Dancing host
Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Kristina Rihanoff thinks that ex-BBC journalist John Sergeant - who withdrew from the show when partnered with her after hapless performances in 2008 - should host the programme with Zoe Ball.
Kristina Rihanoff has backed her former dance partner John Sergeant to host Strictly Come Dancing.
The 48-year-old dancer was paired with the BBC's former political correspondent on the Saturday night favourite in 2008 – with Sergeant eventually withdrawing from the show amid criticism that he kept being voted for despite his hapless performances – and thinks that he and Zoe Ball would be the perfect replacements for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Kristina told Closer magazine: "When I was on the show it was the 'golden era' with Bruce Forsyth and Len Goodman – and now even Tess is leaving. She and Claudia were iconic, but I think Zoe Ball would be fantastic.
"She presented It Takes Two, has been a contestant and is someone who's known to the core fans. I'd love to see her with someone like John Sergeant, he'd absolutely kill it!"
However, Kristina is far from certain about Strictly's long-term future as she was quizzed about her daughter Mila, 10, whom she has with partner Ben Cohen, potentially appearing in the show in the future.
The Russian star, who competed on the BBC programme from 2008 to 2015, said: "I don't think Strictly will survive until then.
"It's nothing against the show, but everything on TV has a cycle and by the time she's grown up, there might be other TV shows she could take part in."
Rihanoff revealed that she no longer watches Strictly as she is busy taking her daughter to dance competitions but believes that standards have changed since her departure from the series.
She explained: "My weekends are full of judging or taking Mila to dance competitions, so it's impossible for me to watch. It's still a great platform for pros and celebrities because it opens up so many career possibilities, but the show is very different now.
"Back then, it was very much about the casting and getting dancers with an incredible pedigree, who were in the competitive world and masters of the craft. The show was based purely on ballroom and Latin – it was more traditional!"
The dancer continued: "During my time, I had to show my box of trophies and medals, it was a very different casting process. I had to fly to London from the States, do a 45-minute interview with producers on camera and teach a complete beginner, so that they could watch my teaching abilities."
Despite this, Kristina is open to appearing on an All Stars version of the show.
She said: "I'd love to do an All Stars Christmas special – I think they're missing a trick! But most of all, I'd love my own TV show about ballroom dance moms – there is a ballroom world out there yet to explore, believe me!"
