10 February 2024 , 11:26
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Countdown star Rachel Riley has jokingly revealed "her new boyfriend" after returning to work - and fans have been left in hysterics.
The TV star and maths whizz posed next to a giant troll in a recent Instagram snap as she geared up for a new episode of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown on Channel 4. Viewers were left in fits of laughter after the prop was used to replace Rachel on the show on Friday night. The 38-year-old showed off her glamourous look with her followers as she rocked a frilly pink dress with matching heels.
The post has garnered thousands of likes since it was posted on Sunday. Rachel captioned the photo: "Check out my new boyfriend! The new series of #CatsCountdown continues…" Fans were quickly amused by the antics. Under the comments, one person hilariously said: "Well jel" Another cheekily penned: "Joe Wilkinson looks way different without a beard."A third person added: "Beauty & the beast!" Meanwhile, a fourth person said: "So that’s what Jimmy Carr looks like before makeup."
Fans were amused by the photo (Instagram)
Rachel posing with her new 'boyfriend' (Instagram)Viewers took to social media to express their joy after tuning into the last episode of the series, with Jimmy Carr as host. One person said: "Brilliant show, always good to laugh." Another person said: Love when @Roisinconaty is on #CatsCountdown."
It comes after Rachel recently detailed how difficult it can be to spend quality time with her husband due to their busy schedules. The TV star is married to professional dancer Pasha Kovalev, who she was partnered with during her time on Strictly. The couple began dating in 2014, and surprised friends and family with a whirlwind Las Vegas wedding in 2019. They share two children together.
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Speaking to The Sun, she revealed it can be challenging for the couple to find alone time as they both juggle work and parenthood. She said date nights can be rare for the couple but the TV personality also admitted she wouldn't change a thing.
She admitted: "When you first get together, if they're away for three months and you've only been together a month, it's a big deal,' she explained. "But when you've been together the best part of a decade and you can see a future of how ever many more decades that you get together, it kind of changes your perspective. It's nice to have date nights especially as we can be ships that pass in the night, especially when you have kids as well."
Speaking to HELLO last this year, the star revealed the couple don't plan on having anymore children and are happy with their two girls. She explained: "We're just starting to get out of the woods and they can play together now. They can be left together for a little bit, it's starting to get a little bit easier. So I think we're on that note."