Get all the latest news, photos and videos on former Strictly Come Dancing star Pasha Kovalev. The Russian professional Latin and ballroom dancer started dancing at a young age and was much loved on BBC dance show Strictly, until he quit in 2019 after "eight fantastic years". It soon emerged that Pasha was expecting a baby with his then-girlfriend Rachel Riley, who he met back in 2013 when Rachel took part in the show. The couple welcomed their daughter Maven in December 2019; they secretly married in Las Vegas a few months before.