Introduction
Pasha Kovalev spent eight seasons as one of Strictly Come Dancing’s most consistently excellent professional dancers before stepping away to chase new challenges on the West End stage. Years after leaving the BBC show, he remains closely connected to its legacy, both through record-breaking performances that still stand today and a brand-new reunion tour with fellow Strictly legends set for 2026.
This article covers Pasha Kovalev’s dance career, his life with wife Rachel Riley, and what he’s working on now.
Who Is Pasha Kovalev?
Pavel “Pasha” Kovalev is a Russian professional Latin and ballroom dancer, born on January 19, 1980, in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, in what was then the Soviet Union. He is best known for his eight seasons as a professional dancer on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, where he won the glitterball trophy once and reached the final on four separate occasions.
Quick Facts Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pavel “Pasha” Kovalev |
| Date of Birth | January 19, 1980 |
| Birthplace | Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Soviet Union (now Russia) |
| Profession | Latin and Ballroom Dancer |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Strictly Tenure | 2011–2018 (8 series) |
| Glitterball Wins | 1 (with Caroline Flack, 2014) |
| Spouse | Rachel Riley (married 2019) |
Early Life and Dance Career
Pasha Kovalev began dancing at just eight years old, eventually building a professional partnership with fellow dancer Anya Garnis. In 2000, the pair moved to the United States, where they went on to compete in the third season of the American version of So You Think You Can Dance in 2007. Kovalev and Garnis continued their connection with the show in subsequent seasons, working as choreographers and All-Star partners for later contestants.
In 2011, Kovalev relocated to the United Kingdom to join Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer, beginning what would become one of the most celebrated runs in the show’s history.
Pasha Kovalev’s Strictly Come Dancing Career
A Record-Breaking Run
Over eight series on Strictly Come Dancing, Kovalev built a reputation as one of the show’s most technically excellent professionals. He reached the final four times, becoming only the second professional dancer in the show’s history to do so, after Kevin Clifton.
Winning the Glitterball
Kovalev won Strictly‘s glitterball trophy in 2014, partnered with television presenter Caroline Flack.
A Historic Partnership With Ashley Roberts
One of the most statistically remarkable partnerships of Kovalev’s Strictly career came during the show’s sixteenth series, when he partnered with singer Ashley Roberts. Despite facing early criticism over her prior dance experience and landing in the bottom two three times, the pair finished as runners-up while setting multiple show records:
- Highest average score in Strictly history at the time, 36.9 (a record that stood until series 22)
- Most perfect scores achieved by a single couple, five total, a record they still hold
Leaving Strictly
In February 2019, Pasha Kovalev announced he would not return for that year’s series, explaining he wanted to pursue new challenges, describing plans to move toward West End theatre work after seven series with the show. His departure prompted an outpouring of tributes from fellow professionals and former partners, with colleagues describing him as a “true gentleman” both on and off the dance floor.
Strictly Career Highlights Table
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| Series Competed | 8 (2011–2018) |
| Finals Reached | 4 |
| Glitterball Wins | 1 (with Caroline Flack, 2014) |
| Perfect Tens Scored | 93 |
| Record Held | Most perfect scores by one couple (5, with Ashley Roberts) |
Life After Strictly
Moving to the West End
Following his Strictly exit, Kovalev pursued stage work, notably leading the cast of the new musical La Bamba! in 2023. Inspired by the life of Ritchie Valens, the show opened at Curve in Leicester before moving to London’s Peacock Theatre and embarking on a UK tour.
Choreography and Television Work
Kovalev has continued working across choreography and television, including choreographing the TV movie Paris Christmas Waltz (2023) and making other television appearances in the years since leaving Strictly.
Reuniting for Vegas: After Hours in 2026
In a major 2026 career update, Kovalev announced he would reunite with fellow Strictly legends Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Vincent Simone, and Ian Waite for a brand-new dance stage show, Vegas: After Hours, touring UK theatres throughout the year. The show follows an earlier reunion production, Legends of the Dance Floor, reflecting continued audience appetite for seeing this group of former Strictly professionals perform together outside the show’s usual format.
Personal Life
Pasha Kovalev met his wife, television presenter and Countdown star Rachel Riley, when the two were partnered together on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013. The couple began a relationship in 2014 and married in 2019. They share two children together, with their first child announced in 2019 shortly after Kovalev’s departure from Strictly.
Why Pasha Kovalev Remains a Beloved Strictly Legend
Several factors continue to define his lasting popularity with fans:
- Genuine technical excellence, reflected in his record-setting scores with Ashley Roberts
- A rare four-time finalist record, matched by very few professionals in the show’s history
- A well-received transition to West End theatre, proving his talents extend beyond television
- Continued connection to Strictly’s legacy, through reunion tours like Vegas: After Hours
FAQs About Pasha Kovalev
1. How old is Pasha Kovalev? Pasha Kovalev was born on January 19, 1980, making him 46 years old as of 2026.
2. Did Pasha Kovalev ever win Strictly Come Dancing? Yes, he won the glitterball trophy in 2014, partnered with television presenter Caroline Flack.
3. Why did Pasha Kovalev leave Strictly Come Dancing? He left in 2019 after eight series to pursue new challenges, including a move toward West End theatre work.
4. Is Pasha Kovalev married to Rachel Riley? Yes, the couple met on Strictly in 2013, began dating in 2014, and married in 2019. They have two children together.
5. What is Pasha Kovalev doing in 2026? He is touring UK theatres with fellow Strictly legends in the new stage show Vegas: After Hours.
Conclusion
Pasha Kovalev‘s career reflects both genuine dance excellence and a willingness to keep evolving, from record-breaking Strictly performances to leading roles in West End musicals and now a reunion tour with fellow show legends. His partnership with Ashley Roberts remains one of the most statistically remarkable in Strictly history, a testament to the technical skill that defined his eight seasons on the show.
