'Strictly Come Dancing': Pasha Kovalev Brushes Off 'Curse' Worries

‘Strictly Come Dancing’ professional Pasha Kovalev has insisted he’s not worried about the so-called “‘Strictly’ curse” ahead of the new series.

Pasha has been dating ‘Countdown’ presenter Rachel Riley for the past two years, having met her when they were partnered together on ‘Strictly’ in 2014, when she was still married to her ex-husband.

However, as he prepares to hit the dance floor with ‘BBC Breakfast’ host Naga Munchetty, Pasha has assured everyone that his relationship with Rachel is rock solid.

When quizzed about “‘Strictly’ curse” worries, he told The Mirror: “Nothing could come between with what we have. I don’t even think about things like that. I don’t want to be with anyone else.”

Describing his girlfriend of two years, he added: “Rachel is incredible. She is the most beautiful woman in the world.”

Rachel was previously forced to speak out on rumours that her marriage had broken down because of her relationship with Pasha, setting the record straight shortly after they began dating.

She told the Telegraph at the time: “I don’t think there’s a ‘Strictly’ curse, but it does serve as a magnifying glass that shows up pre-existing fault lines. Jamie [her ex-husband] and I had been with one another since I was 19, and we are still good friends, it was all amicable and he’s been brilliant.”

The new series of ‘Strictly’ launched last week, with the show now taking a three-week break as this year’s couples prepare to hit the dance floor together for the first time.

Bookies have named Olympic gymnast Claudia Fragapane the early favourite to take home the Glitterball trophy, ahead of pop singer Will Young and former ‘Hollyoaks’ star Danny Mac.

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