Strictly favourite lauded as a ‘true gentleman’ after ending eight-year run
Strictly Come Dancing professional Neil Jones said it was a “sad day” as he led tributes to colleague Pasha Kovalev, who has decided to quit the show after eight series.
Latin and ballroom dancer Kovalev competed in four finals and lifted the glitterball trophy once, with Love Island host Caroline Flack in 2014.
Jones hailed the Strictly vet eran as a “true gentleman” following the announcement yesterday morning that Kovalev would not return for the 2019 series of the BBC One programme.
Posting on Twitter, Jones said: “It’s a sad day @bbcstrictly family because @pashakovalev who we all know and love has decided not to return next series.
“He is a true gentleman on and off the floor and I have enjoyed every moment with you pash.” Meanwhile, Flack said the dancer had given her “someoftheproudestmoment of my life” in an online post.
She said: “So sad to hear the news that Pasha is leaving Strictly. A total gentleman ..... You gave me some of the proudest moments of my life.”
Show cohost Tess Daly also hailed Kovalev, telling fans he had been “a joy to work with” before wishing him luck for the future.
Fellow Strictly professional Karen Clifton described Kovalev as an “all around gentleman and a fantastic dancer” as she bid him farewell.
Kovalev will not return for this year’s series of the BBC One programme, but will appear on the Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals live tour this spring.
He posted on Twitter: “After scoring 93 perfect tens, reaching 4 finals and lifting 1 glitter ball, it’s time for me to find a new challenge and so I’ve decided to make last year my final season on Strictly.
“I’ve had 8 fantastic years, full of wonderful memories, thanks to the incredible partners, professionals and myriad of behind the scenes teams who all work to make Strictly the amazing production that it is.”
Kovalev leaves Strictly having found love on the programme with Countdown star Rachel Riley, whom he was partnered with on 2013.