RACHEL RILEY has opened up for the first time about her relationship with
Strictly Come Dancing dancer Pasha Kovalev.
The Countdown presenter told The Sun it is not just the Russian’s dance moves
that won her over after they danced together last year but his brains too,
saying: “He loves quantum physics.”
Rachel split with her university sweetheart Jamie Gilbert just 16 months after
they married, but said it was not the result of her “intense” relationship
with Pasha.
Click
here to read how we reported on Rachel and Pasha’s romance
And she insisted she only started dating the professional dancer after her
marriage ended.
The stunning mathematician revealed: “Pasha and I are dating, we’re having
lots of fun. He’s a brilliant guy, really brilliant.
“On Strictly, you form a close bond with your partner, but there was nothing
romantic when Pasha and I were dancing. It was just dancing.”
When asked about the Strictly curse — known for splitting couples up — Rachel
said: “I can only speak from experience. Strictly was something I really
enjoyed doing, but it wasn’t the cause of anything.
“In this industry, it’s high pressured and there’s a lot more media attention
so it’s a very intense experience going on Strictly.”
She put her split down to a hectic travel schedule and high-pressured jobs.
Rachel explained: “In this job you’re away from home a lot and you’re
working so hard. And it’s something that’s not always easy for your partner.
That comes with any high-pressured job.”
The telly host said dancer Pasha is teaching her new moves as he puts together
his routines for this year’s show. She said: “He has opened me up to
dancing. He does like to spin me around a little bit.
“I absolutely loved Strictly. You just learn a routine to get you through the
week, I never had time to learn anything properly.
“But I would say my dance moves have changed a bit on the dance floor with the
girls.”
Rachel revealed the pair’s conversations aren’t limited to dancing, as Pasha
is hiding a secret passion for science.
She said: “He’s actually really into science and he’s into quantum physics.
He’s a clever boy. Anyone that meets him knows that he’s just a lovely, warm
guy.”
Pasha and his dance partner in this year’s series, telly presenter Caroline
Flack, have been landing near the top of the leaderboard, making them a hot
favourite behind EastEnders actor Jake Wood to win the show. But Rachel is
not concerned about their chemistry.
She said: “No, I’m not jealous and he’s not.
“It’s just dancing. I see him in the evenings and I think they are going to do
well. I just love watching him dance. I love his choreography.
“I’ve only met Caroline once and she’s an amazing dancer. I think she can
really do it justice, which is lovely to see. I think they’re going to go
all the way.
She added: “I get quite nervous for him on a Saturday though. Having no
control over it, I like to watch afterwards when it’s already happened and I
don’t have to worry.”
Rachel has been busy filming Countdown with Nick Hewer and 8 Out of 10 Cats
Does Countdown.
The presenter was recently confronted with the word “erection” during the game
show, which left her amused.
She explained: “Sometimes we have to edit the rude stuff out. The funny stuff
for me is words which younger people find funny, but Nick has no idea and
will repeat the words.
“We had one about strap-ons and he repeated the term over and over.
“He said he thought it was a pair of roller skates.”
– Rachel has teamed up with npower, which has been given £65million to help
people keep warm this winter. She is travelling the country from today to
promote National Energy Saving Week.