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Pasha Kovalev talks Strictly curse and Rachel Riley: 'She's the most beautiful woman in the world'

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Strictly Come Dancing star Pasha Kovalev has insisted that the show's 'curse' will not affect his relationship with Rachel Riley. The handsome 36-year-old dancer, who has been partnered with celebrity contestant Naga Munchetty on this year's show, told the Mirror: "Nothing could come between us with what we have."

He sweetly added: "I don't even think about things like that, I don't want to be with anyone else. Rachel is incredible. She is the most beautiful woman in the world."

pasha rachel

Pasha has decribed Rachel as "the most beautiful woman in the world"

Pasha and Rachel, 30, met when they were paired together on Strictly in 2013, while she was still married to her university sweetheart Jamie Gilbert, whom she wed in August 2012.

Following her appearance on Strictly, the Countdown star announced that she and Jamie were separating - although she has always insisted that Pasha was not the reason for their split.

Speaking to the Telegraph in 2014 about the show, Rachel said: "I don't think there is a Strictly curse, but it does serve as a magnifying glass that shows up pre-existing fault lines.

naga munchetty

The 36-year-old has been partnered with Naga Munchetty on this year's Strictly

"Jamie and I had been together since I was 19, and we are still good friends, it was all amicable and he's been brilliant."

Rachel, who lives with Pasha in London, has said that she won't be able to attend any of the upcoming Strictly shows because of her hectic work schedule. But she is sending along her mum to cheer Pasha on.

Speaking at the GQ Awards on Monday night, Rachel said: "My mum is a massive Strictly fan and Pasha will make sure she gets to see it. He's amazing but we haven't had loads of time to do a lot of dancing. He needs to give me a few lessons."

Strictly Come Dancing returned for its 14th series with a launch show on 3 September, and the celebrities now have three weeks to master the jive before the first episode on 23 September.

Click here to see the 2016 dance couples