Strictly not for marrying
Rachel: No pressure for boyfriend Pasha
COUNTDOWN host Rachel Riley says she may never wed Strictly boyfriend Pasha Kovalev because she does not need the “pressure” of a second marriage.
Rachel, 31, began dating the Russian dancer after appearing on Strictly with him in 2013 – following her split from husband of 16 months Jamie Gilbert in the same year. She said: “I am in love now. I don’t feel I have to get married. I don’t think I need that pressure any more. And I am perfectly happy. “There is no time you should shut the doors as there is always love out there for you. I would have never dreamt in a million years I would go out with a ballroom dancer from Russia as, when we were younger, we did not even speak the same language. So I guess you never know.
“I was with my ex-husband for eight or nine years and we became good friends. I met him at university and our relationship ended. We are still good friends. I think there is a real negative attitude to splitting up with someone in our society but it is good to stay friends.” In a radio interview, Rachel revealed she buys her own clothes for Countdown, having previously had a stylist.
She said: “I get to go shopping now by myself. They say I definitely can’t have bikinis. Definitely no bikinis. But they are quite relaxed.”
This year’s Strictly is only weeks away with Pasha, 37, taking part. East Enders actor Davood Ghadami, 35, was confirmed as a contestant yesterday. He plays market trader Kush Kazemi in the soap.
He joins Saturdays singer Mollie King, 30, who was the first celebrity named.