Pasha Kovalev

Pavel "Pasha" Kovalev (born 19 January 1980) is a Russian professional Latin and Ballroom dancer.

Kovalev started dancing at the age of eight. In 2001, he moved to the United States with his professional dance partner Anya Garnis. In 2007, the couple competed on the third season of the American version of So You Think You Can Dance, and have since participated in all subsequent seasons as either choreographers or All-Star partners to the contestants.

In 2011, Kovalev moved to the United Kingdom to take part in Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer.

Strictly Come Dancing 9
In the ninth series, his first, Kovalev was partnered with Waterloo Road actress, Chelsee Healey. The two made it all the way to the finals, finishing as the runners-up to Harry Judd and his partner Aliona Vilani.

Strictly Come Dancing 10
For the tenth series it was revealed that he would be dancing with Girls Aloud singer, Kimberley Walsh. The two made it all the way to the finals, finishing as the runners-up to Olympic gymnast Louis Smith and his partner Flavia Cacace. By coming second, Kovalev became the first male professional dancer to reach two consecutive finals, and the third professional dancer to do so overall after Lilia Kopylova and Aliona Vilani.

Strictly Come Dancing 11
In 2013, Kovalev was partnered with Countdown & The Gadget Show co-presenter, Rachel Riley, for the show's eleventh series. The couple was eliminated during the fifth week of competition, despite receiving their highest score yet; they lost out in the dance-off against Abbey Clancy and Alijaž Skorjanec, who went on to win the show.

Strictly Come Dancing 12
For the twelfth series of the show in 2014, it was announced that Kovalev would partner television presenter, Caroline Flack. The couple earned the first perfect 40 of the series for their salsa in the semi-finals, followed by an additional 3 in the finals giving them a perfect total of 120 points, a feat unmatched in the history of the competition. On 20 December, 2014, the couple was crowned the champions of the series.

Strictly Come Dancing 13
For Series 13 in 2015, Kovalev was paired up with BBC Breakfast weather presenter, Carol Kirkwood. They were later eliminated in week 7 after losing out to Kellie & Kevin in the dance-off, leaving in ninth place.