Rachel Riley Prefers Swimming with Sharks Over Strictly Come Dancing

Rachel Riley, best known for her role on *Countdown*, has stated that she would rather “swim with killer sharks” than return to the dance floor of *Strictly Come Dancing*. The 39-year-old television personality met her husband, professional dancer Pasha Kovalev, during her time on the BBC show in 2013. Despite their love story evolving from the competition, Riley has made it clear that she has no intention of participating in the iconic dance series again.

In a recent interview with *Metro*, Riley expressed her reluctance to rejoin *Strictly*, citing the intense pressure she felt while competing. She described the experience as “panic-stricken,” contrasting it with her upcoming reality show, *Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters*, in which she will swim with tiger sharks without the protection of a cage. “If you asked me tomorrow to go swimming with great whites, I’d be there. If you asked me to do *Strictly* again, no way,” she remarked.

Riley’s time on *Strictly* was marked by both personal and professional milestones. She partnered with Kovalev, and they began dating in 2014, eventually marrying in a surprise Las Vegas ceremony in 2019. The couple now shares two daughters, Maven, five, and Noa, three. Reflecting on their spontaneous decision to marry, Riley said, “So, we were never bothered about getting married, but then we just were like ‘shall we just get married’ once we were having the baby.”

Facing Fears in the Water

*Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters* premieres tonight on ITV and features a lineup that includes notable figures such as Sir Lenny Henry, comedian Ross Noble, and Lucy Punch. The show aims to challenge celebrities to confront their fears while swimming with some of the ocean’s most formidable predators. They will be guided by marine expert Paul de Gelder, who has a personal connection to sharks after surviving a near-fatal attack that resulted in him losing an arm and a leg in 2009.

Riley expressed her initial expectations for the show, saying, “I was expecting swimming pools with starfish to start with.” Her previous experiences with Kovalev in the Galapagos Islands, where they encountered a sea lion in distress, have prepared her for the unexpected nature of the upcoming challenges.

With the show set to air at 21:00 GMT on March 15, 2024, fans and viewers can look forward to a unique blend of adventure and entertainment as celebrities push their limits in the water. Riley’s willingness to face sharks instead of dancing again underscores her desire to embrace new experiences, even if they come with their own set of risks.

As the countdown to the premiere begins, audiences are eager to see how these public figures will navigate the waters alongside their fears.