
A naked video footage of retired rugby star Ben Cohen surfaced online, inevitably making its way through every murky corner of the Internet.
Despite Cohen being more than happy to strip for calendars and the occasional event — an unequivocal LGBTQ+ ally, he’s posed in his underwear for both Attitude and GT — he’s apparently gutted that the tape has been making the rounds, according to The Sun.
In fact, he reportedly wants to take legal action.
A source close to Cohen tells the paper:
“He’s devastated.
The video was filmed years ago. He’d forgotten all about it. 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.”
According to a spokesman for Cohen, “The matter is with his lawyers. He and Kristina remain in a happy relationship.”
38-year-old Cohen is the father of twins — eight-year-olds Isabelle and Harriette — from Abby, his ex-wife.
He also has Milena, his third daughter, born in January 2016 to Cohen and his girlfriend Kristina Rihanoff (who was his dancing partner on Strictly Come Dancing.)
As we said before, it’s impossible to fully convey how awesome we think Ben Cohen is. In 2011, he retired from sports and founded The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation to combat homophobia and bullying and has been one of our favorite and most loyal allies ever since.
The video still lurks in the dark corners of the internet. You can watch it here (NSFW)!
Related:
Rugby legend Ben Cohen makes his acting debut in new queer-themed series & we’re so here for it
The rugby great has a role in an episode of the British series, “Patterns.”
Rugby star Devin Ibañez on his supercute BF, the creepiest DMs they’ve received & whether wedding bells are in the air
Devin Ibañez and his boyfriend, Fergus Wade, chronicle their fantastic lives on Instagram.
Whether it’s about hot, retired Rugby stars’ latest adventures or any other headline-making news, subscribe to the Queerty newsletter and be the first to score exclusive updates – because we’re here to deliver the juiciest stories straight to your inbox!
Low Country Boy
He shouldn’t be.
Billy Budd
He should have an honest conversation with the kids when they grow up and become old enough to browse on the internet. The kids will understand. He is not only gorgeous but also a wonderful person for us.
StuBur
It couldn’t have been that private could it .Someone must have been given it .The moral is if you don’t want others seeing such stuff then don’t give it away
Paul
Yup, kids are gonna realize Daddy has a penis. What a shocking development that will be. Oh, and Mommy’s seen it too!
jayjay333
Why do people video themselves or take dick pics and then act all surprised or horrified when they surface online? Why are people so narcissistic to do this type of sh$t?
red1979
@StuBur: If you watch the video you can tell that he was skyping with a woman and she is the one who recorded it. He didn’t give it to anyone.
Mkiel
@StuBur: Well said I’m sick of hearing these idiots complaining,it is simple if you don’t want videos to surface don’t Send them.
Stilinski26
To be fair the video was really blurry anyway so we didn’t see his d***
Arconcyyon
My good the yes hey yes ! the photto you is you shortblackshort summer is ! because is he has he that is climic the solider´s face depresuion my the atleta´s star RUDY MEM RUDY Sport .
Jack Meoff
I like that Ben wants the images gone from the internet for his daughters sake but even if he sues you can never completely remove something once it’s out there on the internet. It’s kind of like trying to get toothpaste back in the tube. Learn to live with it Ben and deal with your daughters finding out when they get older. They probably won’t care.
Baba Booey Fafa Fooey
Sure…”devastated” (rolls eyes). Fake and planted.
PRINCE OF SNARKNESS aka DIVKID
It’s all one big anti-gay closet-case world conspiracy to Baba Booey Fafa Foo
4of14
I’m sorry he had to go through it, but everyone has a good point, or two. On the bright side. Ever been to court for anything like a trafficstop? Try finding anything about it, ten years later. The internet may hold on to everything, but that doesn’t mean it can find everything it has. I think Ben is fairly safe, but a father daughter talk never hurts.
rmarin776
I can understand why a father wouldn’t want his daughters finding sexual photos/videos of him. It’s not just seeing that daddy has a penis, like some here suggest.
This is the world we live in today. I don’t understand why people are sharing sexual material with each other over the internet – especially if they are famous. Do they really think it won’t come back eventually?
ryantbo
If you are stupid enough in this day and age to film something and NOT think it is going to be leaked…..no one is THIS naive anymore. Don’t do it or be ready for this.
argleflarglebargle
It stuns me that so many people just seem to say “Well, you should know this’ll end up online”. That’s like saying “Well you should’ve known that buying a house means people are going to rob it”. No, he is not in any way in the wrong here, the person who is in the wrong is the person who leaked the tape without his permission and the websites that spread it around. It’s not on Ben that his property got taken without his permission and spread around. No one should feel bad about taking naked pictures if they’re leaked, the problem is the person who leaked them and we should NEVER blame the person that had their private naked photos released without their consent!
Captain Obvious
Oh please this guy is an opportunist through and through. His whole “love” for “the gay community” was an opportunity to stay relevant and continue to make money after retirement. He constantly strips and we’ve seen practically all of his body at this point. How devastated could he possibly be?
So many white blondes playing thirsty gays like fiddles it’s ridiculous. Even the basic ones with no talent spam the internet with videos hoping to get on Ellen. Can ya’ll get a grip and stop trippin’ over these guys?
nitejonboy
Ben, I love and support you, but you shoulda thought first before dangling your dingy on video!! These things always come back to haunt people!! No one is immune!
strix1
In 48-hours, the world will have forgotten all about this “video” – sure, his kids may Google it in 4-5 years, but they are real-world girls, they will get over it. What video?
Antimatter
@argleflarglebargle: @argleflarglebargle: Your analogy is incorrect. Everyone needs a home no one needs to take naked images of themselves. If you play with fire expect to get burnt. No one should have their privacy or trust violated, but if you put yourself in that position you have to be prepared to face the consequences.
argleflarglebargle
@Antimatter: I’m sorry but this isn’t playing with fire. This is sending something to someone else and them releasing it, or maybe it getting stolen off the cloud. This isn’t a consequence of taking naked pictures, this is someone violating trust because they were sent these privately. I’m sorry I tend to be against blaming the victim, it’s a weird trait of mine.
Baba Booey Fafa Fooey
@Captain Obvious: Exactly.
BillSam
@Captain Obvious: I’m glad somebody has made this point. “Straight allies” are all well and good, but they often have ulterior motives, as stated. And when straight allies are worshiped while LGBT activists who do the real work are ignored because they may not be “hot,” it really does make one wonder. There are still too many gay men who are so starved for approval or some attention from celebrities, that they fall all over them — but only as long as they’re “hot.”
38manny
He made a video like so many others. Don’t know why he would think it wouldn’t show up one day. They all do. It’s hard to do but it appears the video is no longer online, or at least I couldn’t find it.
Ben’s net worth is in the millions. Last year, he earned over $9 million, sounds like he’s doing well.
I would bet the person who released it did it for the money.
Jayj
I’m sorry but I feel compelled to comment on this story. If you are a ‘celebrity’ of any shape or sort, even Z grade reality TV star and you make a naked video, or take naked photos, or go to a nude beach, or sauna, or do anything that can come and bite you on the backside in later years, please don’t pretend to be surprised. Man up, own up and move on. Don’t be a victim, be a victor. Marilyn Monroe did a nude calendar and that didn’t hurt her career. I am a nobody, and have never made a video or photo or anything, and if I did and it was on the internet, no one would care less, because I’m not famous nor ever expect to be. If you are, keep your bits well hidden, or one day, they will be there for all to see. Please Don’t say, I forgot all about it. I would remember if I ever did a nude video or photo. If everyone just grows up and realises we are all sexual beings, then this thing won’t be so ‘scandalous’ and the only people who will care are the mega critical religious hypocrites and who cares what they think?
Sluggo2007
I’ll never understand why people insist on recording their sex acts.
ErikO
LOL sure he is, this guy is a narcissist and abuses and beats his wife ex wife and is a tease to bisexual and gay men.
ErikO
@Captain Obvious: EXACTLY. Ben Cohen is exactly as you describe.
batesmotel
1) As a public known figure, he should’ve known better. There are certain things you should know to never do. 2) It doesn’t matter anyway. He’s a good looking guy and there’s nothing to be ashamed of. 3) I’ve seen the pics and the lighting is so dark you can’t see much. 4) The last thing his children will be trying to do is look up their father naked on the internet. Trust me.
pscheck2
I don’t know about Ben; I think he might be a closet case with a deeply conflicted persona. He seems to titillate the gay community with his nude posings, and according to one poster, his nude selfie was done over Skype and recorded by the one he was communicating with! So, if he can be so public with his nudity (and calendars!) why now the angst? I still think he is a nice person, but I suspect he knows he is a turn-on to us gays, and enjoys this ‘appeal’ that feeds into his ego (and, possibly with a touch of narcissism?).