KRISTINA Rihanoff doesn't smile when it's suggested she's built a career on sex.

 

It's not that she's not a great dancer of course. The pneumatic blonde is an international award winner and both the dads and the mums who watch Strictly will testify her tango is up there with the very best.

But the lady from Vladivostock, back in Glasgow with new dance spectacular Puttin' On The Ritz, seems to be consider the sexual content in her act to be incidental, and perhaps even accidental.

"I'm not really trying to do anything sexy, to be honest," she maintains in almost perfect English, (yet it's still hard to tell if her tongue is placed hard in her cheek or not.)

"And I'm not in charge of what I wear on the show; this is up to the producers."

But she is in charge of the website pics and indeed her Twitter account?

Both reveal portraits of a woman laying back and looking, well, amorous - and wearing just about enough material to cover a flee's embarrassment.

"Yes, well it comes with being comfortable in your own skin," says the 37 year-old.

"But remember, you have a TV persona and you have your own life. I'm also a fashion charity worker and I have my own foundation which I'm patron off. What you see on the show is not all me."

What is Kristina Rihanoff? She's certainly a grafter. Having learned to dance from the age of five, aged 16 she became a part-time dance instructor to help the household budget. Her parents had divorced, jobs were scarce and Russia was in a state of turmoil.

"I realised I loved dancing and I could earn money doing this so I did private lessons. The money was hugely important.

"Eventually, I earned more money than my mum."

Kristina had also studied Tourism and Hospitality at university.

"Tourism was developing in the East of Russia, and we have an amazing coastline. So I thought I would build a company organising tourists.

"But dancing never got away from me. The fire was always burning inside me."

There's no doubt the Russian has lit up Strictly. Every move, every step is precise but it's her dynamic with her partners which has caught the attention of the camera lenses.

Kristina's former professional dance partner Michael Wetnik once claimed he had to terminate their double act claiming she was 'too sexual'. "Kristina is like a wild cat on the dance floor and I simply found it all too much," said the poor lamb.

But it's fair to say the lady dances like she's practising for the Sex Olympics.

And it's not surprising dancer Vincent Simone fell for her charms. Strictly contestants Joe Calzaghe and Ben Cohen both left their partners after dancing a close two step with the Russian.

Does she find it surprising so many men find her attractive?

"You know, I don't really think about it," she says, coyly.

"It's something made up by the press. I'm just a lucky person to have the job I have."

She adds, with a Russian determination in her voice; "I don't really talk about my personal life."

Does she find the publicity troubling?

"You have to take the good and the bad. And I have no control over it. It's what comes from being on the biggest show on the TV."

Right now, the job in hand is Puttin' On The Ritz, in which she stars alongside dance partner Robin Windsor. It's a 'musical journey' featuring songs from Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Irving Berlin.

"It's a great theatre show and we are enjoying doing something that's so far from Strictly," she offers in delighted voice.

"And I'm a big fan of Cole Porter. When you start to learn ballroom dancing you learn the dances associated with his music, the quick steps, the fox trots.

"I just love dancing to Dancing Cheek to Cheek and Fly Me To The Moon.

"And it's great for Robin and me to come up with the choreography for these songs."

It's a chance for her to show there's more to her than dance.

"I'm a very creative person," the lady maintains. "This is all about taking the opportunities as they come along."

What of life outside dance? Right now, London has become a mini Moscow. Does this make her feel more at home?

"You know, I don't really have any Russian friends.

"I guess it's because I'm so busy with my work. I'm always doing shows or cruises. I'm sort of in my own world.

"But I go back to Russia every August, it's the most beautiful time. And my mother often comes to see me in London."

And what of the future? Dancers last only as long as their calf muscles can lift their legs.

"I used to plan, I'm a Virgo," she sighs. "But I've learned life changes so many times.

"You almost have no control. So I'm just focused on the moment.

Would she like to be married with kids? "At some point," she says in warm voice, before realising she has strayed into personal territory.

"But I don't really talk about my private life."

She does however talk about her love for Glasgow.

"It's the city with the best audiences," she says in genuine voice. "And they offer a real Russian warmth. I love it."

*Puttin' On The Ritz, the King's Theatre, June 9-13.