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Rachel Riley quizzed about baby plans with boyfriend Pasha Kovalev - see her response

The Countdown mathematician has been dating the Strictly star for 3 years

Sharnaz Shahid
Deputy Online Editor
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She's been in a relationship with Strictly's Pasha Kovalev for over three years, but Rachel Riley has revealed the couple have no immediate plans to start having a family together. Speaking to Mail On Sunday's Event magazine, the Countdown mathematician confessed that having kids is "not on her radar" at the moment. She admitted: "All my friends are getting pregnant at the moment. That's good for them, but it's currently not on my radar. I don't know about the future."

rachel riley© Photo: Getty Images

Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev have been dating for three years

STORY: Countdown's Rachel Riley surprises fans with baby bump

Rachel, 32, met Pasha, 37, in 2013 when they were partnered together on Strictly. At the time she was in her first year of marriage to high school sweetheart Jamie Gilbert; the couple announced their split in November 2013, following her appearance on the dancing show. The TV star went on to confess that she remains "good friends" with her ex James, but describes Pasha as "different, really different". She shared: "I was used to Essex boys growing up. Russian boys are a lot more gentlemanly and thoughtful. They will express their emotions a bit more. Even though you picture Russians as stoic, their language is really poetic."

STORY: Pasha Kovalev talks Strictly curse and Rachel Riley

Weighing in on the much talked about "Strictly curse", Rachel said she believes it "serves as a magnifying glass that shows up pre-existing fault lines." In August, the presenter revealed that she has no plans to marry her boyfriend yet. In an interview with the Express, Rachel explained: "I am in love now. I don't feel I have to get married. I don't think I need that pressure any more. And I am perfectly happy." She added: "I don't worry about getting married or whether he is taking a long time in the morning, or whether he has done the dishes. That does not really bother me in the long term. I feel settled."

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