Ben Cohen's Eighth Week On SCD

Here's a review of tonight's performance:

Strictly hunk Ben Cohen hit the bright lights of Blackpool for week eight of Strictly Come Dancing tonight. The ex-Saints rugby star and Kristina performed the American Smooth to ‘Fallin’’ by Alicia Keys at Blackpool Tower ballroom. They gained a total of 32 points, equalling their previous best score, which was six points higher than last week’s score of 26 for the jive. In the introductory video, Ben said: “To get through to Blackpool was amazing, to experience the home of ballroom dancing is fantastic. It’s like me going to play the home of English rugby which is Twickenham.”

The next elimination round is tomorrow.

RELATED: Cohen appeared on a British chat show yesterday where he talked about the decision to dance without his shirt in a recent episode. Towards the end the clip Cohen talks about his anti-bullying foundation, which was also mentioned today in lengthy interview with the Daily Mail. An excerpt:

'Discovering my status on gay sites alerted me to the problems that gay men and women endure every day from bullying, but then I realised how much my family had been affected by bullying, too. 'My father died after standing up for others, and what I'm doing now is a direct result. When I was first approached by Strictly, my answer was No, but then I understood what it could do for StandUp and that's when I decided to give it a go.' This is precisely what he was doing last night in Blackpool, amid the sequins and Bruce Forsyth, as dance partner Kristina Rihanoff eased him around the dance floor. 'It's just like a Test week in rugby,' he said. 'Everything is geared to the Saturday performance. And it's just as tough, maybe more. My respect for those dancers is huge.' To those who know him as the torso-baring hunk on a popular TV show, can Ben Cohen add Strictly Come Dancing champion to his trophy cabinet that already sports a World Cup winner's medal? He laughs heartily for the first time in our chat. 'I fear I'm on borrowed time,' he said. 'Taking your shirt off can only take you so far.'