Where did Rachel Riley marry Pasha Kovalev, did she make him quit Strictly and what happened with Jeremy Corbyn?

RACHEL Riley took over from Carol Vorderman on Channel 4's Countdown in 2009 and has gone on to co-present the spin-off show 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

Meanwhile, her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013 led to her romance with Pasha Kovalev, who she recently married in Las Vegas. Here's more about the math whizz.

How long has Rachel Riley been dating Pasha Kovalev?

Rachel was partnered with Pasha on the 11th series of Strictly in 2013 and they've been dating since 2014.

The Countdown star was previously married to James Gilbert, who she met while studying at Oxford university but the pair split after a fifteen-month marriage in November 2013.

However, Rachel maintained that their marriage breakdown wasn't anything to do with Pasha or the Strictly curse.

Speaking to The Sun in 2014 she said: “Pasha and I are dating, we’re having lots of fun. He’s a brilliant guy, really brilliant.

"‘Strictly was something I really enjoyed doing, but it wasn’t the cause of anything.

“On Strictly, you form a close bond with your partner, but there was nothing romantic when Pasha and I were dancing. It was just dancing.”

The couple cemented their relationship by tying the knot during a secret ceremony in Las Vegas in June, 2019.

Rachel confirmed their marriage via Twitter and told her 645, 000 followers:"Introducing the new Mr and Mrs Kovalev. We both said yes!"

Her announcement came weeks after the couple revealed they are expecting their first child together in May, 2019.

Did Rachel Riley make Pasha Kovalev quit Strictly?

Rachel Riley reportedly urged Pasha to quit his role as a pro dancer on Strictly for fear that the Strictly curse could ruin their relationship.

Rachel was partnered with Pasha in the 2013 series and since then he has danced with several glamorous women, including Pussycat Dolls star Ashley Roberts in 2018.

Comedian Seann Walsh split from girlfriend Rebecca Humphries in November 2018 after he was pictured kissing his dance partner Katya Jones.

At the time, when asked about the curse Rachel said: “It’s left its mark. It just makes me feel nervous — so I make myself busy when it’s on. I leave Pasha to it.”

But Rachel is also said to be unhappy with Pasha's pay and work schedule.

A Strictly insider said: “Rachel is adamant Pasha is being paid far less than his hours deserve.

“Strictly has a particularly gruelling schedule and when you weigh that up against his pay packet, she feels it’s not worth it.

“Pasha isn’t one of the more unionist dancers who push back at producers when they’re working 18 hour days. He just sees it as part of the job.”

Has Rachel Riley been a victim of anti-Semitism?

Sadly, yes she has.

Rachel describes herself as a "non-religious Jew" and has been the target of vicious trolls on Twitter.

She skipped the 2019 National Television Awards to give a speech about how the Government can help to combat anti-Semitism.

What happened between Rachel Riley and Jeremy Corbyn?

On September 12, 2018 Rachel was slammed as “brainwashed and thick” for speaking out against Jeremy Corbyn in a row over anti-Semitism.

She was attacked by left-wing trolls after tweeting links criticising the Labour leader.

However, despite being called “shallow and mendacious” by Corbyn supporters – Rachel has refused to join them in a slanging match.

She replied: “Much as I appreciate being called Tory, brainwashed and thick, I don’t have any party loyalties, I form my opinions based on available evidence.

“Religion wise, I choose Man United. Life wise I choose the options without intolerance, hatred and fear. #AntiSemitism.”

However, this did little to calm the trolls who ordered her to “stick to adding up” and accused the presenter and maths whizz of “spreading sick propaganda”.

What is Rachel Riley's backstory?

Rachel is a 33-year-old television personality and mathematician from Essex.

She's most known as the leading lady on Channel 4 show Countdown, who's in charge of picking the letters and numbers and revealing the answers to the maths problems.

The star has been on the show for the past nine years, and presented alongside Nick Hewer.

Before her career in television, she studied mathematics at Oriel College, Oxford, before working as a statistical analyst for a start-up price comparison website.

What else has Rachel Riley been in?

As well as Strictly and Countdown, Rachel has appeared in The Gadget Show, It's Not Rocket Science and the comedy version of Countdown, 8 Out of 10 Cats does Countdown.

She also worked on Sky Sports shows Friday Night Football and Fantasy Football Club alongside Jeff Stelling, Max Rushden and Paul Merson.

However after making an off the cuff comment about football club Tottenham Hotspur she received an onslaught of online abuse from fans and has since reportedly stepped down from the role.

 

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