Rachel Riley and Pasha take in Ukrainian refugees and say it's 'so rewarding'
Countdown star Rachel Riley has spoken of the how rewarding it feels having taken in four Ukrainian refugees.
Rachel, 37, who is married to former Strictly pro Pasha Kovalev, says their two daughters "absolutely love" living with the little boy they've opened their doors to, and treat him as an extra sibling.
On BBC Breakfast, the TV presenter spoke about welcoming her and Pasha's home to the group, a year on from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
She told the show: “It is so rewarding and it’s working for us.
“Our little girls absolutely love having this little boy, it’s like they’ve got an extra brother and he’s got little sisters that he looks after.
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Pasha and Rachel, who have two daughters, have welcomed four refugees (Rachel Riley/Instagram)“He’s like an extension of his mother and auntie looking after them. He’s had to grow up before his years, he’s just turned eight years old. He’s really a young little man because it’s been forced upon him."
She added: “But it’s just a brilliant thing to be able to do and we’re just getting on like one big family.”
Rachel and the Russian dancer met when they were partnered together on Strictly in 2013, with Rachel splitting from her husband Jamie Gilbert that year, after her time on the show.
Rachel is known for appearing on CountdownThe pair wed in Las Vegas in 2019, welcoming their daughter Maven that year, and their youngest Noa in November 2021.
Speaking about life after opening their home, Rachel said: “We’ve got two little girls at home and they’ve got their little boy living with us and it feels like a communal effort.
“They do so much to help out. Whether it’s making borscht or looking after the kids and they don’t need too, they’ve got a lot on their plate.”
The numbers expert spoke about wanting to thank the refugees as part of the UK's annual Thank You Day this summer, a dedicated time to express your gratitude.
She went on: “At the moment we’ve got four Ukrainians living with us, they’re working as cleaners, they’re getting three buses across London for two hours to do a cleaning job and come back."
Rachel added: “Last week one of their clients bought them a bouquet of flowers and our lady, she got home and she just burst into tears, because it just meant so much to her, to have that gratitude and to have someone acknowledge the hard work and effort that she puts into making her life a little bit nicer."
Rachel and Pasha on Strictly in 2013 (BBC)The former Strictly star said "it can just be really simple things," adding: It costs you nothing and it makes someone’s day.”
Ukrainian refugees grateful to their UK hosts Rachel Riley and husband Kovalev
This time last year Pasha was praised for publicly supporting Ukraine amid the devastating war, as he put on an event to raise money for Ukrainian children.
He told Lorraine last March: "Most Russian people I know are definitely against war and war against Ukraine. It's not even in the question, it shouldn't be happening.
"People are against the regime, they're not against the people."
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