RACHEL RILEY TALKS ABOUT HER LAS VEGAS WEDDING
‘COUNTDOWN’ STAR RACHEL RILEY TELLS US ABOUT HER LAS VEGAS WEDDING TO DANCER PASHA KOVALEV AND THEIR IMMINENT ARRIVAL
‘i just went off mushrooms, i can’t stand them’
When Countdown star Rachel Riley slipped on her sequins for 2013’s Strictly Come Dancing, she thought, at most, she might have a chance to lift the Glitterball trophy. While Abbey Clancy was the one who took the top spot that year, Rachel, 33, ended up with something arguably better – a romance with Pasha Kovalev.
Soon after the show ended, the two began to date, and in May this year they revealed they’re expecting their first child together. Following their happy news, the couple also decided to tie the knot in June in a low-key Las Vegas ceremony. There, they were joined by a group of close friends, with mum-to-be Rachel describing it as ‘simple, but perfect’.
Rachel was previously married to her childhood sweetheart Jamie Gilbert for over a year, and has previously said they’re still friends, adding: ‘He’s a brilliant guy... We were together since I was 19 and it wasn’t right.’
Rachel may now be married to a professional Latin and ballroom dancer, but she insists she won’t be in a rush to get back in shape and she reveals why they chose Sin City as their wedding location...
You look gorgeous, Rachel! How are you finding pregnancy?
I’m tired, but I’m enjoying it. It’s been a really good pregnancy – I’m really lucky. I can’t complain at all.
Have you had any cravings at all?
No – I just went off mushrooms. I can’t stand them, but apart from that it’s been business as usual.
When are you due?
Early December – hopefully it will be out before Christmas [laughs]!
Do you know what you’re having? We’re keeping it as a surprise.
How about the name?
We’ve got our names sorted – we’ll let you know when it comes out.
Has Pasha been spoiling you?
Yes, he’s lovely – he’s been great. He’s been tidying up and making food and looking after me, and making sure I go to bed. He’s been really sweet and broody!
Are you concerned about getting back in shape after the pregnancy?
I’m not worried about that. I’m not going to put any pressure on myself – I don’t care. Just survive, I think, once the baby is out. Spend all your time looking after yourself so the baby is healthy, and that’s my only focus. None of the rest matters.
Have you been going to the gym?
No, I don’t like the gym but I like to cycle, and you can’t really cycle when you’re pregnant, so I’ve just been walking around. You just do what you can when you’re pregnant, because you’re knackered and you’re heavy so walking is best. We’re still filming Countdown and I’m kind of schlepping up and down to the studio and back so I’m still quite active.
Is there anything you’ve had to give up during pregnancy that you’ve missed? I’ve not really craved anything because you can just switch it for other stuff. I have decaf coffee instead of normal.
You recently got married in Vegas. Did you want to get married before the baby arrived?
No, we just thought we might as well. We were going to Vegas anyway, and it seemed like a good idea at the time, and we had a great time. We’re really happy together. We’ve been together for ages, and the baby will have whatever surname it has.
Well, I’ve got to change my name, and in Russia, it changes for male or female. Depending on whether it’s a girl or a boy – it will either be Kovalev or Kovaleva.
Did you decide while you were in Vegas to tie the knot?
We kind of planned it the week before, actually. We were going anyway, and we thought it made sense. We had a couple of friends there, and it was just simple. We had the best day.
Do you regret not having a big wedding? No, it suited us. It was perfect.
Do you and Pasha watch Strictly together? No, he’s not been in the country for a while, so we’ve been travelling a lot. Our schedules take us everywhere, but we keep in touch with some of the dancers from the show. We’ve got lots of friends there.