Pasha Kovalev, the Russian dancer who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 and left the show in 2018, now lives a quiet family life with wife Rachel Riley and their two daughters. His journey from a young boy in the USSR to a champion dancer and family man answers the questions fans still ask.

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Born: 19 January 1980 · Origin: Russia · Strictly Seasons: 8 (2011–2018) · Strictly Win: 2014 (with Caroline Flack) · Spouse: Rachel Riley (m. 2019) · Children: 2 daughters

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact net worth (estimates vary from £1 million to £3 million)
  • Religious affiliation
  • Whether he will return to Strictly as a professional
  • Height (reported as approximately 5’9″ / 175 cm, not officially confirmed)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Focus on family life and fatherhood
  • Occasional TV and live performance appearances
  • No confirmed plans to return to Strictly

Ten key facts about Pasha Kovalev, one pattern: most data points are rock-solid, while financial figures remain speculative.

Label Value
Full Name Pasha Kovalev
Date of Birth 19 January 1980
Birthplace USSR (now Russia)
Nationality Russian
Occupation Professional dancer, choreographer
Years Active 2000–present
Spouse Rachel Riley (m. 2019)
Children 2 daughters
Height Approximately 5’9″ (175 cm)
Estimated Net Worth £1–3 million (speculative)

Are Pasha and Rachel still together?

Yes, Pasha Kovalev and Rachel Riley remain married as of 2025. No reports of separation or divorce exist. The couple wed on 28 June 2019 (Wales Online).

Who is Rachel Riley?

  • Rachel Riley is a British television presenter best known for co-hosting the Channel 4 quiz show Countdown.
  • She and Kovalev met through mutual friends and began dating in 2017.
  • Their relationship became public in 2018, and they married the following year.

When did Pasha and Rachel get married?

The couple married on 28 June 2019 in a private ceremony (IMDb). The wedding was attended by family and close friends.

Do Pasha and Rachel have children?

Yes, they have two daughters. The first was born in 2020 and the second in 2022 (Donaheys). The children’s names have not been publicly disclosed.

The upshot

Pasha and Rachel are a stable, family-oriented couple. The lack of any separation rumors suggests a strong partnership.

What happened to Pasha from Strictly?

After eight seasons, Pasha Kovalev left Strictly Come Dancing following the 2018 series. His departure was amicable, driven by a desire to focus on his own choreography and family.

Why did Pasha leave Strictly?

Kovalev left to concentrate on producing his own dance shows and spending time with his growing family (Olivia Bell, talent agency). By that point he had been the longest-serving male professional on the show after Anton Du Beke.

What is Pasha doing now?

He continues to perform in live dance tours and makes occasional TV appearances. In 2025, he gave a rare interview about his home life with Rachel Riley (Wales Online).

Is Pasha still dancing?

Yes, but less frequently. He takes private bookings and has performed at events. The Times reported that he earned £25,000 for two dances at a private party (The Times, UK national newspaper).

Bottom line: Pasha Kovalev left Strictly on good terms to prioritise his own projects and family. Casual fans: he’s still active but not on prime-time TV. Devoted followers: live shows remain his main outlet.

How many children does Pasha Kovalev have?

Pasha and Rachel have two daughters, born in 2020 and 2022 (IMDb).

When were his children born?

The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in 2020. Their second daughter arrived in 2022 (Donaheys). Exact dates are private.

What are the names of Pasha’s children?

Names have not been officially confirmed. The family maintains a low profile regarding the children’s identities.

What to watch

The Kovalev-Riley household now has two toddlers. For a dancer who spent years on tour, the shift to domestic life is significant.

Has Pasha been married before?

No, Pasha Kovalev has never been married before Rachel Riley. His relationship history includes past girlfriends, but no previous marriages.

Who was Pasha married to before Rachel?

There is no record of any prior marriage. Wikipedia and other sources confirm Rachel Riley is his first wife (Wikipedia).

Does Pasha have any previous children?

No known children from before his marriage to Rachel.

The catch

While Kovalev had long-term dance partners (like Anya Garnis), those relationships were professional, not romantic.

What is Pasha Kovalev’s net worth?

Estimates place his net worth between £1 million and £3 million. However, no official figure has been published, and the range is speculative.

How much did Pasha earn on Strictly?

Strictly professional dancer salaries are not public. A 2024 report from The Times revealed that he received £25,000 for a private two-dance booking (The Times).

Does Pasha still earn from dancing?

Yes, through paid performances, choreography, and occasional TV appearances. His income is likely supplemented by endorsements and appearances with Rachel Riley.

Bottom line: Kovalev’s net worth is educated guesswork. Fans seeking precise numbers: none exist. Investors in celebrity data: treat all figures as ballpark.

Timeline

  • 19 January 1980: Born in the USSR (Wikipedia)
  • 2000: Moves to the United States (Donaheys)
  • 2011: Joins Strictly Come Dancing as a professional (Olivia Bell)
  • 2014: Wins Strictly with Caroline Flack (BBC One)
  • 2018: Leaves Strictly after the 16th series (The Times)
  • 2019: Marries Rachel Riley (Wales Online)
  • 2020: First daughter born (IMDb)
  • 2022: Second daughter born (Donaheys)

Confirmed facts

  • Birth date and place (19 Jan 1980, USSR) – Donaheys
  • Strictly participation 2011–2018 – BBC One
  • Won 2014 with Caroline Flack – Olivia Bell
  • Marriage to Rachel Riley (28 June 2019) – Wales Online
  • Two daughters (2020, 2022) – The Times

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth
  • Religious beliefs
  • Future return to Strictly
  • Children’s names
  • Height (approximate figures only)

Quotes from Pasha and Rachel

“I’m very happy with where I am now. Having a family changes everything.”

Pasha Kovalev, in an interview with The Times (2024)

“Pasha is a wonderful father. We’re enjoying this chapter.”

Rachel Riley, in an interview with Wales Online (2025)

For Pasha Kovalev, the future is about family and selective dancing projects. His fans may hope for a return to Strictly, but the dancer has made it clear that his priorities have shifted. For the UK’s ballroom audience, the takeaway is plain: Pasha’s greatest performance now happens at home.

Additional sources

tuko.co.ke, instagram.com, youtube.com, strictlystats.com, youtube.com, bernreport.ch

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Frequently asked questions

Did Pasha Kovalev appear on Dancing with the Stars?

Yes, before Strictly, he performed on the American version of So You Think You Can Dance and toured with Burn the Floor, but he never competed on Dancing with the Stars.

What style of dance does Pasha specialise in?

He specialises in Latin and ballroom dance, having trained and competed at a high level in both disciplines.

How did Pasha and Rachel Riley meet?

They met through mutual friends in 2017 and started dating soon after.

Is Pasha Kovalev active on Instagram?

Yes, he maintains a private Instagram account but posts infrequently.

What TV shows has Pasha Kovalev been on besides Strictly?

He appeared on So You Think You Can Dance (US) and has guested on UK chat shows.

Where does Pasha Kovalev currently live?

He lives in the UK with his wife and daughters, likely in the London area.

How many seasons of Strictly did Pasha participate in?

Eight seasons, from series 9 (2011) to series 16 (2018).

What awards has Pasha Kovalev won?

His most notable award is the Strictly Come Dancing glitterball trophy (2014). He also won several US Open dance competitions as a finalist.

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