Countdown's Rachel Riley has made a startling revelation about her time on Strictly Come Dancing, admitting she would never return to the BBC show despite being asked back multiple times.
The 37-year-old mathematician appeared on Lorraine this week where she delivered a brutally honest assessment of her 2013 stint on the dancing competition, describing it as "not a happy experience".
The Strictly Come Dancing Curse
Riley, who met her now-husband Pasha Kovalev during her time on the show, shocked viewers by revealing: "I was asked back to do Christmas specials and things like that, but I wouldn't go near it."
The TV personality didn't hold back when explaining her reasons: "It was not a happy experience for me. I'm not a dancer, I'm not a performer, and I was really pushed outside my comfort zone."
A Reluctant Celebrity
Despite her success on Countdown, Riley maintains she never sought fame: "I never wanted to be famous. I just wanted to do maths and be on Countdown."
Her candid comments come as she prepares to celebrate 15 years on the Channel 4 quiz show, where she famously works out complex calculations at lightning speed.
The Aftermath of Strictly
While Riley found love with professional dancer Kovalev (they married in 2019 and have two children), she remains firm about not revisiting the Strictly ballroom.
"Some people love it and thrive on it," she told Lorraine Kelly. "But for me, it was just too much pressure and scrutiny."
The star's honest assessment provides a rare glimpse behind the glittering facade of one of Britain's most beloved entertainment shows.
