Rachel Riley has candidly described her marital troubles with husband Pasha Kovalev in a new interview, claiming they’re like “ships that pass by in the night.”
The Countdown star, 37, admitted it can be very difficult to find some alone time with professional dancer Pasha, 43, as they balance work and parenthood.
After meeting on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013, the couple wed in a secret Las Vegas wedding in 2019, surprising friends and fans alike.
They’ve only gotten stronger after welcoming two kids, but this week Rachel opened up about her “difficult” time balancing work and parenthood.
Here, Web takes a look at the couple’s relationship history.
Couple: Rachel Riley has candidly described her marital struggles with husband Pasha Kovalev in a new interview, claiming they’re like ‘ships that pass by in the night’
Throwback: The Countdown star, 37, admitted finding some alone time with professional dancer Pasha, 43, can be very difficult (pictured in 2013)
When did you meet?
Rachel met Pasha during her performance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013 when they were a couple.
Reflecting on last year’s experience, the presenter gushed how “crazy” it was that time had passed so quickly, adding that she “must show the kids” the clip.
In a social media upload, she wrote in her caption, “Exactly 9 years ago today according to my phone.” Crazy! Have to show the kids tomorrow [laughing and dancing emojis] @PashaKovalev #Strictly.’
The video saw Rachel getting blown away by the Russian dancer after eagerly awaiting the announcement with the late Sir Bruce Forsyth.
Rachel ended her 16-month marriage to James Gilbert just weeks after she left the series – they met while they were students at Oxford University.
The couple finally went public with their romance the following year.
Newlyweds: Rachel and Pasha wed during a secret ceremony in Las Vegas in June 2019 while she was expecting her first child
When did you marry?
Rachel and Pasha wed during a secret ceremony in Las Vegas in June 2019.
The couple tied the knot in Sin City after keeping the ceremony “so secret” that the majority of their friends and family reportedly didn’t know about the wedding.
In a surprise post on Instagram, Rachel confirmed the news when she shared a picture from her big day with the caption, “Introducing the new Mr. and Mrs. Kovalev… We both said yes!”
Rachel, who had just entered her second trimester of pregnancy, wrapped her baby bump in a printed cream and pink mini dress for the ceremony.
The blonde beauty exuded a healthy pregnancy glow that showed through her minimal makeup, while her glossy golden locks were styled into a chic chignon.
Pasha, 39, was made for a dapper groom in a navy blazer paired with a polka dot shirt, beige chinos and boat shoes.
The couple appeared to pose at the Wynn Hotel, which offers three different floral-themed wedding salons where guests can tie the knot, including the Lilac Salon, the Lavender Salon and the Primrose Court.
Wedding packages at the popular hotel and casino range from $1,790 for the simplest — albeit still lavish — services to a staggering $29,990 for the elegant ceremony, with no expense spared.
Records show the couple received a marriage license on June 25 in Clark Country, Nevada, which includes Vegas, and married three days later.
Baby joy: Rachel was pregnant with her first child during the couple’s Las Vegas wedding in 2019 and welcomed a baby girl named Maven Aria in December
Congratulations: She gave birth to a baby girl named Noa in November 2021, 15 days past her due date
How many children do they have?
Rachel was pregnant with her first child during the couple’s Las Vegas wedding in 2019 and gave birth to a baby girl named Maven Aria in December.
She announced her daughter was two weeks overdue, but after “making her wait” she came so quickly that she had to give birth in her bathroom at home.
The TV personality shared a series of sweet snaps of the couple admiring their little girl as she posed in front of the Christmas tree at home.
She wrote: “Two weeks after we were expecting her, this little one finally showed up!
“Miss Maven (one who understands) Aria (lioness) Riley Kovaleva arrived Sunday morning weighing 7lb 4.
“After keeping us waiting, she came so quickly we didn’t get a chance to get to the hospital and was born in our bathroom, while our amazing doula and wonderful St. Mary’s midwives rushed to us just in time!”
“She is absolutely perfect and Pasha and I are in newborn bliss.” Couldn’t be more in love ❤️❤️❤️❤️ #newborn #babygirl #maven #baby’.
The couple announced in April 2021 that they were expecting their second child with a hilarious Instagram post.
In the update, Rachel challenged her fans to solve her latest countdown riddle, which aptly meant the term ‘fertility’.
Rachel’s post showed her cradling her blossoming belly in a pretty black floral mini dress while posing next to the famous countdown letter board.
With the phrase “Fit Riley” written on the tiles, Rachel challenged her fans to guess the correct word, with many quickly guessing it must be “fertility.”
She gave birth to a baby girl named Noa in November 2021, 15 days past her due date.
The Countdown star announced the good news on Instagram as she shared a picture of her bundle of joy, her second child with husband Pasha Kovalev.
In the caption of her post, Rachel gushed, ‘We have news…!’ Introducing Pasha’s newest dance partner – baby Noa was finally born, 15 days past her due date, late Friday night to the sound of fireworks!’
Rachel added: “She is absolutely adorable and her big sister Maven has already tried to welcome her into the world by offering oatly and pickles. We think that’s a good sign.”
“A huge thank you to the wonderful team of home birth midwives and to my doula who took such good care of us all.”
“Ps. Thanks also to my namesake @rachelrileyuk for the beautiful rainbow baby clothes for our beautiful rainbow baby.” “Our family feels complete now that they are here.”
What did Rachel say about parenting?
The television personality opened up about her growing family in an exclusive interview with Web.
She explained that in the early stages of their relationship, she and Pasha felt insecure about having children in their future, but after contemplating their age and the possibility that the possibility of starting a family might not be easy, they decided to move on full steam ahead.
“We destroyed them! The plan is to break the sleep deprivation all at once,” she explained.
“I’m 35 and have friends who have fertility issues and you just never know if you can get pregnant.”
“We got really lucky, touching wood and very excited.” “They’re amazing, we weren’t sure we wanted them beforehand and we’re just both in love, it’s beautiful.”
Rachel openly admitted that she suffered a miscarriage between her two pregnancies.
The former Gadget Show host told OK! Magazine on why she was planning on having another child so soon after welcoming Maven.
Rachel said at the time, “At 35, I’m biologically old.” I had a miscarriage between pregnancies, so you can’t count your chickens. Luckily, I seem to get pregnant easily, which I don’t take for granted.”
Do you have marital problems?
In an interview with The Sun this week, Rachel admitted that finding some alone time with Pasha can be very difficult as they balance work and parenthood.
Rachel said dating might be rare for the couple, but the TV personality also admitted she wouldn’t change a thing and she’s actually enjoying this phase of parenthood.
“When you first meet, the two of you are three months away and you’ve only been together a month, it’s a big deal,” she said.
“But when you’ve been together for the best part of a decade and you can look to the future, no matter how many more decades you put together, it kind of changes perspective.”
“It’s nice to have date nights, especially because we can be ships that go by in the night, especially when you have kids too.”
The Channel 4 star revealed she’s “juggling so many things” and now needs to be more organized on her days off.
The MBE didn’t hold back, adding that making time for romance and keeping the spark alive was crucial.
She said it’s nice to have “date nights,” especially because they can involve “ships that go by in the night.”