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Rachel Riley addresses ‘really hard times’ and ‘solid unit’ in home life insight

Countdown presenter Rachel Riley, who is married to Strictly star Pasha Kovalev, has opened up about how her home life has enabled her to “tackle anything” that comes her way

Rachel Riley says she has a “solid core” at home and that enables her to “tackle anything”(Image: Channel 4)

Rachel Riley has opened up about life with Strictly star Pasha Kovalev.

The Countdown presenter, 39,fell in love with Pasha after being partnered with the pro during the 11th series of the BBC show. Their romance began shortly after the series finished in December 2013.

They tied the knot in 2019 in Las Vegas, and have since welcomed their two daughters – Maven and Noa – into the world. And it would appear that things are great at home as Rachel has revealed it’s what enables her to “tackle anything” that crosses her path.

She said she’s “content” and that the strong foundation with her loved ones is the “most important” aspect of her life. Speaking on the ActionCOACH Business Growth podcast in 2024, Rachel said: “Success for me means contentment and I’ve got a contentment.

Rachel married to her Strictly co-star Pasha Kovalev in 2019(Image: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

“Even through really hard times, and terrible external stuff going on, I’ve got my solid unit and I can take on the world and do whatever outside of that.”

The maths whizz added: “In the recent years I’ve had big challenges. I got an MBE for Holocaust education which stemmed from fighting antisemitism and that’s one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced, and continue to face.

“I can be brave because I’ve got this solid core at home. I know friends who try to take on the world and don’t have that support at home and you just can’t, it’s just not the same.”

They danced together on the 11th series of the show(Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire )

Rachel, who is Jewish, has campaigned against antisemitism in the Labour Party and served as an ambassador for the Center for Countering Digital Hate in order to hold social media platforms responsible for hateful content shared online. As part of her role, she’s met Auschwitz survivors and collaborated with Jewish leadership groups.

In 2019, she delivered a speech at the Houses of Parliament for Holocaust Memorial Day. She said that Holocaust education was “ingrained in her as a child”. She believes the foundation provided by her home life empowers her to continue her campaign work.

Rachel took over from Carol Vorderman on Countdown in 2009. The Oxford graduate was one of 1,000 applicants for the job, although she once admitted she never actually aimed to be a TV presenter.

She joined the show in January 2009 alongside Jeff Stelling, who replaced outgoing host Des O’Connor. It was her mother who encouraged her to apply for the position.

Rachel told the BBC “There’s only one cool maths job around and I was lucky enough to get it so I’m absolutely thrilled.”

Since 2012, she has also featured in the comedy series, 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown alongside Jimmy Carr, Joe Wilkinson, and Countdown regular Susie Dent.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk


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