Rachel Riley expecting her second child with Pasha Kovalev 👶

Lovely news for the happy couple!

Author: Alex RossPublished 14th Apr 2021
Last updated 15th Apr 2021

Congratulations are in order for Countdown presenter Rachel Riley and her husband, former Strictly Come Dancing star Pasha Kovalev, as the pair have announced they are expecting their second child together.

Rachel, who first met Russian dancer Pasha when she appeared on the 2013 series of Strictly, announced her lovely news in true Countdown fashion, with a 'teatime teaser' on Wednesday 14th April.

Sharing a snap of herself showing off her baby bump, Rachel told fans, 'A special teatime teaser! 🤗 And your clue is... Riley had this to thank for the reason her clothes no longer fit her...

'And it’ll only get worse till Autumn! 😉🌈👶🏻

'Happy, happy days for our little family @pashakovalev and future big sister Mave ☺️❤️' (sic)

Fans of the 35-year-old were quick to comment on the snap, congratulating the presenter on her baby news.

One wrote, 'Congratulations to you all ❤️', with another adding, 'Aahh, huge congratulations 😍🎉🙏🏻🧡'. A third then wrote, 'Wow congratulations 🎉❤️'. (sic)

The happy couple first met when Rachel appeared on hit BBC show Strictly Come Dancing in 2013, when she was partnered with pro dancer Pasha. Although she was still married to her ex-husband Jamie Gilbert at the time, Rachel and Pasha grew close after Rachel and Jamie announced that they were set for divorce in November 2016.

Rachel and Pasha later went public with their romance, with the happy couple getting married in a secret ceremony in Las Vegas, before welcoming their daughter Mave in 2019.

Check out which other celebs are expecting babies in 2021:

Jake and Sophie Quickenden

Reality TV star Jake Quickenden and his wife Sophie announced they are expecting their second child together in July. Taking to Instagram to share their lovely news, Jake wrote: 'WE HAVE NEWS…. soon to be five. We can finally let you know after a long time trying we are gonna bring another bundle of joy into the world 🌍 We are super excited. Can't wait to live off 2 hours sleep again 😂. Have a lovely Sunday ❤️'.


The couple, who got married in 2022, are already parents to three-year-old so Leo. as well as Sophie's son Freddie from a previous relationship.

Laura Woods and Adam Collard

Sports presenter Laura Woods and former Love Island star Adam Collard announced in July they are expecting their first baby together! The pair, who started dating last year, announced their news on Instagram.

Montana Brown and Mark O'Connor

Just 13 months after welcoming her first child into the world, a son called Jude, Love Island 2017 star Montana Brown announced she's pregnant with her second child with her fiancé Mark O'Connor. Montana announced her lovely news on Instagram, writing: 'Two under two let's go 👶🏽'.

Stephanie Davis and Joe McKalroy

Reality TV and soap star Stephanie Davis announced the lovely news in August that she's expecting her first baby with her boyfriend Joe McKalroy. Steph confirmed the news during an interview with OK! Magazine, where she confirmed the couple had been trying to conceive for two years, and had thought about IVF, before she fell pregnant naturally.


Steph is already a proud mum to her son Caben from a previous relationship with Jeremy McConnell.

Lucy Fallon

Coronation Street actress Lucy Fallon announced in August that she's expecting her second child with her partner Ryan Ledson. Lucy shared the exciting news on Instagram, announcing she's 20 weeks pregnant on 19th August. The couple are already proud parents to one-year-old son Sonny Jude.

Charlotte Dawson

Just weeks after discovering her husband Matthew Sarsfield had been sending inappropriate messages to another woman, reality star Charlotte Dawson announced the news she's expecting her third child. Sharing the shock news on social media, Charlotte told fans: 'Been keeping a little secret… I have some news to share with you all amongst the negative here's the positive a beautiful beltin bun in the chuffin over, baba number 3 💙💗'. (sic)

Example and Daisy Cox

Music star Example, real name Elliot John Gleave, announced in September that his girlfriend Daisy Cox is expecting the couple's first child. Example is already a proud dad to sons Evander and Ennio, who he shares with his ex-wife Erin.

Charlotte Crosby

Reality star Charlotte Crosby announced in September she's expecting her second child with her fiancé Jake Ankers. The couple are already proud parents to their daughter Alba Jean. Charlotte and Jake announced their lovely news with a cute video on Instagram.

Lacey Turner

EastEnders actress Lacey Turner announced at the end of September that she's expecting her third child with her husband Matt Kay. Lacey shared the news on her Instagram page, posting a photo of her two kids holding a baby scan. She wrote: 'Aren't we lucky …..'. (sic)

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli MozzI

Princess Beatrice announced at the start of October she's expecting her second child with her husband Edoardo Mapelli MozzI. In a statement Buckingham Palace said: "Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their second child together in early spring; a sibling for Wolfie, aged eight, and Sienna, aged three.


Edoardo is also a proud dad to his eight-year-old son Wolfie.

Oritsé and Kazz Williams

JLS singer Oritsé Williams and his wife Kazz announced in October they are expecting their first child together.

Jennifer Lawrence and Cooke Maroney

Actress Jennifer Lawrence is expecting her second child with her husband Cooke Maroney, with the pair already sharing their two-year-old son, Cy. The news was confirmed to Vogue in October by a representative for the actor.

Sophie Hinchliffe (Mrs Hinch)

Mrs Hinch, real name Sophie Hinchliffe, announced at the start of November that she's expecting her third child with her husband Jamie. The influencer shared the news on social media, writing: "Heaven was too far to visit, so you sent us a special gift from up above. I have no doubt you sent him to us Dad, to fill our hearts with so much love"🪽ILYD 💙Ronnie and Lennies Baby Brother. Our Baby Boy No.3 🙊 Joining us in 2025. The 3 Musketeers 💙💙💙 Bring on the absolute carnage boys @mrhinchhome 😉'. (sic)

Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly

On 11th November, Megan Fox announced she is expecting her first child with her fiancé Machine Gun Kelly. The actress is already a proud mum to three children with her ex-husband Brian Austin Green. Machine Gun Kelly is also a proud dad to his daughter Casie, with his ex-partner Emma Cannon.

Adam Aveling and Tayah Victoria

After welcoming their baby girl Beau in October 2022 and getting married for real during Christmas 2023, Married At First Sight 2021 stars Adam Aveling and Tayah Victoria announced in November 2024 that they are expecting their second child together!

Arabella Chi

Love Island star and model Arabella Chi announced in early December that she's expecting her first child with her boyfriend Billy Henty. Arabella announced she's due in May 2025.

Joss Stone

In December 2024, singer Joss Stone revealed she was expecting her fourth child, just weeks after adopting a newborn. Saying in the post 'shocked is an understatement', she told fans... 'nothing and no one can take our joy now. We are so chuffed !!!! Maybe we should call the 'less is more tour the preggo tour 😆 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️' (sic).

Rachel gave birth to baby Mave in December 2019, with the presenter revealing she gave birth at home due to her labour happening so quickly.

Revealing the meaning behind her adorable name choice, Rachel told fans, '2 weeks after we were expecting her this little one finally made an appearance! Miss Maven (one who understands) Aria (lioness) Riley Kovaleva arrived on Sunday morning weighing in at 7lbs 4.

'After keeping us waiting she came so quickly we didn’t have a chance to get to the hospital and was born in our bathroom with our amazing doula and wonderful St Mary’s midwives rushing over to be with us in to be nick of time! She’s absolutely perfect and Pasha and I are in newborn bliss. Couldn’t be more in love ❤️❤️❤️❤️👶🏼.' (sic)

Congratulations to Rachel and Pasha on their lovely news! 👶

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