Smell Like Ben Cohen

The Herald & Post reports:

Ben Cohen was greeted by excited fans at his fragrance signing event at Northampton's Grosvenor Shopping Centre today. On one of the hottest days of the year, Cohen took to the Superdrug store to celebrate the launch of his first fragrance, Ben Cohen for Men. The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant met dozens of fans, posed for pictures with them and signed bottles of his fresh scented eau de toilette. Speaking to the Northants Herald and Post before the event, which took place from 4pm - 5pm, Cohen said: "I never thought I'd be one day launching a fragrance, but here I am! And I'm glad I am. "It has been a great journey doing this - from being approached by a company to launch my own fragrance, through to choosing a scent and then seeing the finished product. "I really like the fragrance because the company that created it have delivered what I want - which is a fresh, woody and citrusy smell. "In fact, I am using it all the time now - like water! Well, maybe not like water, but I do use it a lot."

Get it here.

Ben Cohen For AMFAR

Clip recap:

This year's LifeRide has been an incredible journey so far. We're so fortunate to have spent it with such amazing celebrity riders and participants who are dedicated to raising money for amfAR and supporting this important cause. Our final stop will be in NEW YORK CITY! Join us for our finale celebration this Tuesday, August 12th starting at 6:30 pm.

Also appearing tomorrow: Bob Mould and Mary J. Blige.

BRITAIN: Ben Cohen Supports Channel 4's Pro-LGBT Sochi Olympics Campaign

As part of Channel 4's Project Rainbow campaign during the Sochi Olympics, Ben Cohen has recorded a new message about bullying. Note Channel 4's logo.

Happy New Year From Ben Cohen

(Via Towleroad)

Yesterday From Ben Cohen

Ben Cohen Voted Off Dance Show

LGBT ally and anti-bullying advocate Ben Cohen was voted off Strictly Come Dancing last night after a nine week run.

Former England rugby star Ben Cohen has said playing in a World Cup final was easier than taking part in Strictly Come Dancing. The 35-year-old was booted into touch from the ballroom contest on Sunday night after failing to out-tackle actor Mark Benton in the dance-off. The Sun reports that Ben's tight costumes - and tendency to go completely topless have won him lots of fans. 'Yes, there have been a few proposals - from men and women,' he laughed. He also said a highlight of his time on the show was working with his dance partner Kristina. 'She's been thrown against a wall, elbowed, stood on, punched - but not on purpose - to make me look like I can dance to a song,' he said. The former sportsman, who became a crowd favourite for characterful performances, hailed the audience for their support after his final performance. 'They jumped out of their seats,' he said. 'The crowd erupting was a nice reward for effort.'

Here's Cohen's shirtless dance from a couple of weeks ago.

Ben Cohen's Ninth Week On SCD

From a report on tonight's show:

Strictly Come Dancing’s Ben Cohen took an unfortunate tumble to the bottom of the scoreboard as Strictly Come Dancing returned from Blackpool. While Mark Benton remains the favourite to leave the competition this weekend after two consecutive weeks in the dance-off, the rugby ace failed to impress the judges as he tackled the Charleston with Kristina Rihanoff. And despite his best efforts he scored just 27 points from the judges, putting him one point behind Benton and potentially placing him in the danger zone. ‘It wasn’t the most electrifying Charleston I’ve ever seen,’ complained Craig Revel Horwood. ‘There was no cross what so ever and you lacked any freedom of movement… this is what it’s about quirkiness.’

(Tipped by JMG reader Darryl)

RELATED: Britain's Express reveals that Cohen last year refused an offer to appear on a reality show.

Ben Cohen has revealed that he could have been swapping sequins for snakes after being offered a place in the I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here jungle. The former England rugby star admitted that producers from the ITV reality show approached him last year, but he declined their offer because it didn't give off the right message for his anti-bullying foundation. "Strictly is the best one to do," he said. "I got offered to do I'm a Celebrity last year and I didn't want to do it. This is the right show, the right audience to promote the message of the [Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation.] I'm the weakest dancer out of everyone that's left, and that's a fact," he said. "But for every week I stay in, the foundation gets another mention."

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.'

Ben Cohen's Seventh Week On SCD

Radio Times recaps:

Hello sailor! This week saw rugby star Ben Cohen try backflips instead of stripping. It seems the audience loves big Ben even when he keeps it buttoned up – they rewarded his gymnastic efforts with a standing ovation – but the judges weren't so easily persuaded. Bruno stayed true to form, saying "I don't know why but I have an irresistable urge to join the Navy", but Craig gave Ben a measly 4, dragging his total down into the 20s. He'll clearly need to revert to plunging neck lines if he wants to impress CRH.

Ben Cohen's Sixth Week On SCD

Oh emm gee, he went shirtless.

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ben Cohen caused quite a stir on the Strictly dancefloor after he shed his shirt to perform the paso doble. The rugby ace had previously made an impact when he stripped to a vest to perform the salsa with partner Kristina Rihanoff – but took things one step further with Saturday’s semi-clad performance. And unsurprisingly viewers flocked to Twitter to give the performance a resounding thumbs-up. ‘Ben Cohen becoming my fav #strictly contestant! Nothing to go with being topless…..much!’ tweeted one viewer, while another said: ‘Ben Cohen 10/10 for just existing.’ Another added: ‘In my humble opinion, Ben Cohen’s dance tonight just wasn’t long enough’, while a fellow fan tweeted: ‘Ben Cohen with no top on is all Strictly needs.’

His score tonight was 32.

(Tipped by JMG reader Andrew)

The Ben Cohen 2014 Calendar

Get it here. Benefits the Stand Up Foundation.

Ben Cohen's Fifth Week On SCD

About last night's show:

Ben Cohen has survived week five of Strictly Come Dancing for his bopping quick step performance after narrowly escaping the dance-off. Ben and Kristina’s fast paced act gained 27 points last night which, combined with the public vote, saved the pair, but only just. It went down to the last two pairs of the evening when it was announced that Ben had survived. After the announcement, presenter Claudia Winkleman asked Ben: “You were down to the last two, did you think this was it?” Ben replied: “That’s the most nerve wracking thing I think I’ve ever experienced. Thanks for voting at home. Please don’t do that (leave it to the last two) again!”

(Tipped by JMG reader London Buddy)

From Ben Cohen's Stand Up Foundation

They're also selling hoodies and hats.

Ben Cohen's Fourth Week On SCD

Here's a review of tonight's performance:

Former Saints strongman Ben Cohen put in another good performance on Strictly Come Dancing, impressing the judges with his bulging biceps as well as his twinkling toes. The ex-Franklin’s Gardens star, born and bred in Northampton, scored a total of 31 points. He received scores of eight from three of the judges and a score of seven from Bruno Tonioli, to put him halfway up the leader board. Ben, who danced the salsa, ripped off his shirt during the dance, before being praised by the judges for his moves. After watching the performance, which featured a number of high-risk throws, Len Goodman told him: “You’ve got the guns and tonight you’ve got the ammunition.”

(Via JMG reader Andrew)

Ben Cohen's Third Week On SCD

Here's a review of last night's performance:

Ben Cohen produced a raunchy rhumba on Strictly Come Dancing for Love Week. He won unanimous praise for his dance in a dress shirt and undone bow tie to Adele’s Make You Feel My Love and his performance with Kristina Rihanoff earned a standing ovation. The pair scored straight sevens from the four judges, giving him 28 points an improvement of three on last week’s 25 for the waltz. Judge Craig Revel Horwood said: “I want to love you too my darling. I’m willing you to do well and dance well, and you know what, you did.” On hearing this Ben dashed over to Craig and embraced him, provoking whoops of approval from the audience which included stand-up comedian Alan Carr, another celebrity with Northamptonian roots. Len Goodman added: “It is nice to see a big butch bloke being gentle. Lovely partnering. I thought you needed a bit more hips going on on occasions but I thought you showed your feminine side out there.”

The first elimination episode is tonight.

RELATED: Cohen spoke to The Mirror about what it's like for a hearing-impaired person to compete in a dance contest.

Watching me move across the dance floor on Strictly Come Dancing, viewers at home will have no idea that I am profoundly deaf in both ears and that I have a high-pitched ringing in them. Having lost 50% of my hearing is tough but that is not my issue – it’s the tinnitus that is the problem. The thought of the live shows was daunting and I was worried the high-pitched sound of the band could affect my hearing but it hasn’t. You might wonder how I can hear the music on Strictly but the strongest part of my hearing picks up the low tones, so I can pick up the base of the music pretty well. However, I’ve not worn my hearing aid in case it flies out when I’m dancing! It’s easier for me to hear the lower sounds I need to hear without it. .

Cohen's hearing aids were recently provided to him by Elton John.

Ben Cohen's Second Week On SCD

From a live blog about tonight's show: "6-6-7-6 from the judges. A total of 24 for Ben, which is higher than the judges comments suggested that it would be. Kristina and Ben will definitely take that score and run."

(Tipped by JMG reader Darryl)

RELATED: You might want to also view tonight's dance by Robin Windsor, the openly gay professional with whom Cohen had hoped to be paired for the competition.

Ben Cohen's First Week On SCD

Ben Cohen Wanted A Male Dance Partner

Ben Cohen has told the British press that he had been hoping to be paired with a male partner on Strictly Come Dancing.

The ex-England rugby star had hoped to be paired with pro Robin Windsor, but instead got stunning blonde Kristina Rihanoff. Married dad-of-two Ben, 34, who has posed naked for magazines, said: “I’ve no qualms dancing with a woman or a man. Kristina will be easier to pick up though.” Proud of being a gay ­pin-up, he added: “I like to break down stereotypes.” Robin, 33, said at last week’s National Lottery Stars awards: “He kept saying to me, ‘I hope they put me with you’, but it wasn’t to be. “He’s amazing, the things he has done for the gay ­community. I adore him.”

The show had its premiere last week but the competitions don't begin until September 27th. (Via Towleroad)

Ben Cohen Debuts On Dancing Show

Tweet Of The Day - Ben Cohen

Cohen debuts tonight on Britain's Strictly Come Dancing. (Via Towleroad)