Pasha Kovalev, the Russian dancer who captivated audiences on Strictly Come Dancing, has shared the emotional challenge behind his decision to leave the BBC programme. Having joined Strictly in 2011 and appeared in eight series, Pasha’s journey was profoundly impactful, both professionally and personally.
It was on Strictly in 2013 that Pasha met Rachel Riley, his dance partner and now wife. Their partnership blossomed into a romance, culminating in marriage in 2019. Together, they have two daughters, Maven and Noa. Pasha’s final appearance on Strictly was in 2018, where he impressively earned second place alongside singer Ashley Roberts.
In an interview with Heat magazine, Pasha admitted that leaving the show was a difficult but necessary choice. “My heart was torn into pieces,” he revealed. “Saying goodbye to each celebrity partner is the hardest part. Part of your heart stays with them, and each year, you have to find new energy and love to give to the next person. Eventually, I had to make one of those pieces my wife—Rachel. She joked it was part of her Strictly contract.”
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Pasha describes Rachel as his soulmate and expresses how content he is with their life together. Recently, Rachel shared that their family is complete, with both daughters already taking ballet classes. “Maven is preparing for her first ballet exam, and Noa has a show coming up,” Rachel told Woman magazine. “They love dancing and always get Pasha to toss them around the kitchen.”
Rachel, best known for presenting Countdown, has openly discussed how her marriage is a sanctuary, especially after witnessing a friend’s ordeal with domestic abuse. In an interview with The I newspaper, she reflected on the importance of a loving, secure home. “Watching a friend experience domestic violence made me realize how lucky I am. My home – and Pasha – is my sanctuary. We have a partnership based on respect, security, and laughter.”
Despite their different backgrounds and outlooks, Rachel and Pasha find strength in their contrasts. “We find each other interesting, talk about all sorts of things, and even when we don’t fully understand a topic, having the conversation is important,” Rachel said.
Rachel is set to return to television tonight (December 24) on Channel 4 with a special episode of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, featuring Jon Richardson, Daisy May Cooper, Judi Love, and Rob Beckett. Meanwhile, Pasha continues to perform in the theatrical show Legends of the Dancefloor and will join his former Strictly colleagues next year for their new production, Vegas: After Hours, touring venues across the UK.