Pasha Kovalev speaks out on fear competitive shows like Strictly are ‘toxic’

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Pasha Kovalev has spoken out about what it’s really like behind the scenes on competitive TV dance shows. Alongside his work on Strictly he started his career on the hugely successful US show So You Think You Can Dance and also appeared on Dancing With The Stars in 2008 and he is adamant that these shows are ‘not toxic’ backstage. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk he shared: ‘Overall, the success of those shows, or the parallel that I can draw to connect them all together is the human factor. ‘You have people who are passionate about what they’re doing, and they’re not vicious, they’re not spiteful, they’re not toxic – they just enjoy and trying to make the show the best that possibly can. ‘When everyone’s trying to make sure that that it’s the best they possibly can be then you get absolutely incredible results and everyone’s happy. Pasha has said that it is “not toxic” behind the scenes on competitive dance shows (Image: BBC) ‘But I think every person who was involved in Strictly or involved in any of the other TV shows can say that the show being part of their life enhanced their life and careers. ‘At least in my case, that’s what I see. And I apply both [life and career].’ Indeed, Strictly did completely change the 43-year-old dancer’s life as he met his wife, 37-year-old Countdown star Rachel Riley, when they were paired on the show. The couple now live in London with their two daughters although, as someone who has lived in several countries the Russian born star admitted that there is one thing that he finds odd about his children. Pasha met his wife Rachel Riley when they were paired on Strictly (Image: BBC) ‘I’m settled in London and raising our kids with Rachel here in London, so it’s amazing to see me with my hard to pinpoint accent, having kids who have a proper British accent. ‘I’m like, wow, how did that happen? It kind of seeps in, through the media through the TV, through the cartoons and it’s fun to watch. ‘With me in the past being a citizen of the world having kids who are British, it’s fun.’ Pasha was talking to Express.co.uk ahead of taking to the road starring in a brand new musical called La Bamba. PAsha is currently in rehersals for the brand new musical La Bamba (Image: TRICKY) Despite the title it is not a stage version of the film but rather an original show featuring latin music. ‘I guess inspiration came from the movie, the music the story of Richie Valens, Pascha concedes. ‘But then the show and the story in the show took a completely new direction. It just blossomed in a completely separate thing not connected to the movie story.’ Pasha stars in La Bamba! which will open at Curve in Leicester on Tuesday, 1st August 2023 before heading to London’s Peacock Theatre, Sadler’s Wells West End theatre, for a limited season on Tuesday 22 August 2023 until Saturday 2nd September 2023. La Bamba! will continue a UK tour until December 2023.