Former England rugby star Ben Cohen has shared a deeply personal family struggle, revealing his teenage daughter has undergone major heart surgery.
A Father's Strength Tested
The 47-year-old Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins contestant described the past 18 months as 'horrendous' during filming for the gruelling Channel 4 show. His emotional revelation came in tense interrogation scenes, where he explained his focus on being a 'pillar of strength' for his three daughters.
Cohen's 17-year-old twin daughter, Isabelle, known as Izzy, has had a pacemaker fitted to manage a serious heart condition. 'It's been horrendous. Izzy is having a pacemaker fitted and it's a lot to process,' Cohen stated, according to reports. 'How do you deal with it? You be strong for your daughter, you have to be that pillar of strength.'
The athlete admitted this focus on his family led to 'self-neglect', as he prioritised their needs above his own wellbeing. While the specific diagnosis wasn't disclosed, a pacemaker is a small implanted device that regulates heartbeat with electrical impulses, typically used for abnormal heart rhythms known as arrhythmias.
Personal Turmoil and Public Scrutiny
Cohen's family health crisis unfolded alongside reported turbulence in his personal life. He spoke of the emotional toll during the SAS filming, referencing his on-off relationship with former Strictly Come Dancing professional Kristina Rihanoff, which reportedly ended last year.
'There's so much going on in my life personally, in so many different areas,' he said. 'When you get to this point it almost takes the lid off the can and all those emotions swirl with each other.' He added that 'a lot of horrible stuff' had been happening, with unresolved issues resurfacing later.
Despite their split, the pair were seen together at a fashion event in September 2025, with sources suggesting they had 'decided to give things another go'.
A Letter of Pride and Bravery
In one of the show's most challenging tasks, designed to simulate mental torture, celebrities are required to write a letter home that would be sent if they died. Cohen used this opportunity to pen a heartfelt message to his daughter Isabelle.
'You are such a brave girl and have been so mature since finding out about your heart problem,' he wrote. 'You've been beyond amazing deciding what treatment you want, which pacemaker you would prefer.'
The episode also sees Cohen open up about another profound loss: the death of his father in 2000. His father died after attempting to break up a fight at the nightclub he owned, an event Cohen says left a 'hole' in his life.
The former rugby player, who shares twins Isabelle and Harriette, 17, and nine-year-old Milena with his ex-wife, emphasised his unwavering commitment to his children throughout his ordeal.
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins continues on Sunday at 9pm on Channel 4.
