'Our kids don't realise WE MET ON TV'

Countdown's Rachel Riley on the numbers game, motherhood and doing another reality show

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She's been a regular face on Countdown for almost two decades, proving that she has brains and beauty in abundance. Yet behind the camera, Rachel Riley is a busy mum to her two daughters Maven, five, and Noa, three, who she shares with dance-pro husband Pasha Kovalev, 45. Like many celeb love stories, the couple's romance began on Strictly Come Dancing, when in 2013 Oxford graduate Rachel was paired with the Latin and ballroom dancer, and sparks flew. They later tied the knot in a secret ceremony in Las Vegas in 2019. Here the maths expert fills us in on whether she'll have any more children, meeting the King, and how she feels about turning 40 next year.

How's it going on Countdown?

It's great. We will be doing some more 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and there is the regular show. We've been getting really great feedback from viewers, so it's good.

Can you see yourself staying on the show for as long as your predecessor, Carol Vorderman?

I've been there for nearly 17 years now, so as long as they'll have me. I love the numbers game, and I love the show, so hopefully.

How do you stay on top of your game? Do you practise behind the scenes?

When it comes to the Championship of Champions [series] I do some practising for the hard ones, but it's kind of like riding a bike now. I've done it for almost 17 years, so it's in my DNA - even if I wanted to forget it, I can't.

You turn 40 next January, do you have any plans?