Rachel Riley Criticizes Strictly Come Dancing with a Firm ‘Absolutely Not’
Rachel Riley, known for her role on Countdown, recently shared her candid thoughts about her experience on Strictly Come Dancing. During a podcast interview, she reflected on her time in the show’s eleventh series in 2013, where she was partnered with professional dancer Pasha Kovalev, whom she later married in 2019.
Rachel Riley on Strictly Come Dancing Experience
In her appearance on Strictly, Rachel was the fifth celebrity eliminated from the competition. Abbey Clancy, dancing alongside Aljaž Škorjanec, eventually won the Glitterball Trophy, defeating Susanna Reid and Kevin Clifton in the finale. Despite her success, Rachel described her dancing skills as rudimentary.
A Candid Assessment
When asked if she had mastered dance, Rachel firmly replied, “Absolutely not.” She explained that there isn’t enough time to truly learn dancing during the show. Instead, the experience was more about learning to cope with the pressure. Rachel added, “You learn how to hang on.”
Personal Life and Family
- Rachel and Pasha tied the knot in June 2019.
- They have two daughters, Maven and Noa.
Rachel enjoyed some fun dancing outside of the program, mentioning that the couple danced during travels to places like Cannes, Bali, and Los Angeles.
Strictly’s Demands
Discussing her hectic schedule during her time on Strictly, Rachel noted the challenges of balancing her commitments with Countdown and The Gadget Show. She recalled having to manage rehearsals, filming, and promotional appearances, emphasizing how little time she had to actually learn to dance.
Countdown and Career Highlights
Rachel has been a prominent figure on Countdown since 2009, taking over from Carol Vorderman. This role is something she proudly refers to as the “only cool maths job around.”
On January 16, she returned to hosting Countdown on Channel 4 before appearing on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown later that evening.
Pasha’s Departure from Strictly
Pasha Kovalev last participated in Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, reaching the finale with Ashley Roberts. He expressed that it was time to move on from the show and mentioned that saying goodbye to each celebrity partner was the most challenging aspect of his role. He humorously remarked that he had to select one of them as his wife, which turned out to be Rachel.
Overall, Rachel Riley’s reflections on her Strictly experience offer a unique perspective not only on her personal journey but also on the intricate demands of participating in such a high-profile television competition.
