Former rugby player Ben Cohen was visibly emotional as he discussed the tragic death of his father on the latest series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. The 47-year-old sports star, participating in the gruelling Channel 4 military-style challenge, fought back tears while recounting the horrific incident that occurred over 25 years ago.
Heartbreaking Details of a Father's Fatal Assault
In raw and candid moments during the programme, Cohen described how his father Peter was "beaten to death" while attempting to protect another person at a nightclub in Northampton. The establishment was owned by his father and brother but was not operational at the time of the attack.
Cohen revealed: "My dad got beaten to death protecting someone. It was f****** horrible. It was savage. He got bitten everywhere." He explained that his father, described as a "really tough man," suffered a severe beating that ultimately led to an aneurysm, causing his death.
Processing Trauma Decades Later
The rugby star admitted he has struggled to come to terms with the loss since his early twenties and continues to process the trauma. "You don't know how to handle it at that age," Cohen reflected. "It's kind of what I'm trying to process now. Really tough."
He spoke about the lasting impact, noting: "What happened to my dad really leaves a hole in your life. Been on my own since 21. So I haven't really got many people that I could probably turn to and ask for advice."
Daughter's Health Battle Adds to Emotional Strain
Compounding his emotional burden, Cohen disclosed that his 17-year-old daughter Isabelle requires a pacemaker for a heart condition. He has twin daughters, Harriette and Isabelle, with ex-wife Abbie, and another daughter, Mila, with former Strictly Come Dancing professional Kristina Rihanoff.
"The thing that's playing on my mind is my daughter's pacemaker she's got to have when I get back when I return off the course," Cohen confessed. "My daughters got to have a pacemaker and that's what I've been battling with also in the last 18 months. So its been horrendous."
Mental Health Challenges and Personal Resilience
Addressing his mental state, Cohen acknowledged: "Depression can sneak up and nip you in the backside if you're not careful. I can lose myself in this for 8 days probably a little bit easier than everyday life. I need to wake up a part of me that I put away a long time ago."
In a letter to his daughter, he expressed admiration: "You are such a brave girl and have been so mature since finding out about your heart problem. You have been beyond amazing." A pacemaker is a small implanted device that regulates heartbeat through electrical impulses, improving life quality for those with abnormal heart rhythms.
Relationship Dynamics and Personal Struggles
Cohen also touched on broader personal challenges, stating: "There's so much going on in my life personally, in so many different areas, when you get to this point it almost takes the f*****g lid off the can and all those emotions swirl with each other."
Reports from September indicated that Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff had rekindled their relationship after a previous breakup amid financial difficulties. The couple, who met on Strictly Come Dancing, were seen together at a fashion event where one of Cohen's daughters was modelling, with sources suggesting they looked "very much in love."
This emotional revelation on Celebrity SAS highlights the profound personal battles behind the public persona of a celebrated rugby star, demonstrating how trauma and family health crises can resurface years later under intense physical and psychological pressure.
