LGBT rights activist Ben Cohen left ‘devastated’ by sex tape leak
The former England rugby star is taking legal action following the tape’s release.
Rugby World Cup winner and LGBT advocate Ben Cohen has been left “devastated” after intimate images from a private video were leaked online.
The revealing images show Cohen alone and naked, with initial reports claiming the video was filmed last year.
However, a source close to Cohen told The Sun that the “video was filmed years ago.”
“He’s devastated,” the source added. “He’d forgotten all about.”
“Not only is he worried about his reputation, he also has to think of his three girls who’ll one day be old enough to use the net.”
A statement by Cohen’s representatives explained that the images were “historical” and “taken whilst he was single”.
Cohen has twin daughters by his first wife, Abby Blayney, whom he divorced in March after the couple separated in 2014.
The sports star has been in a relationship with former Strictly Come Dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff since 2015. The pair welcomed his third daughter in June.
Cohen’s spokesman confirmed that he is seeking legal advice following the leak.
“The matter is with his lawyers. He and Kristina remain in a happy relationship,” the statement added.
Cohen has won a legion of gay fans since quitting the sport to tackle homophobic bullying full time.
The rugby ace set up his anti-bullying charity StandUp in 2006 and has used his popularity within the gay community to speak out about homophobia.
The ex-England international has also warned politicians of the dangers of complacency and often spoke of how his father’s murder inspired him to campaign against intolerance.
