Rachel Riley admits she has been 'enjoying' lockdown with Pasha Kovalev and their baby daughter
While there have certainly been numerous downsides to the social distancing measures instigated by the coronavirus pandemic, Rachel Riley has been determined to see the positives of the situation.
The Countdown star, 34, said she had been “enjoying” some aspects of lockdown - but admitted she felt “guilty” for feeling such a way.
Speaking to The Sun, she explained - that with work on hold - she had been relishing the rare opportunity to spend more time with her husband Pasha Kovalev and their five-month-old daughter Maven.
The trio are also self-isolating with the pro dancer’s mum, who has been helping the couple with childcare.
Read more: Pregnant Rachel Riley says troll stress impacted her baby's movements
Rachel said: “It’s one of those things where you feel slightly guilty for enjoying aspects of lockdown. We’re in a really fortunate position."
The new mum - who met Pasha on Strictly Come Dancing - continued: “All of our work’s gone but we’re not having to struggle in that sense. Pasha would have been away with tours and cruises dancing had it not been for lockdown so he’s enjoying time with us.
She added: “I feel guilty all my friends, or most of them, had a period where they were left alone with the baby.”
Pasha’s mum had been due to return to Russia after visiting the UK, but was unable to return when the lockdown measures suddenly came into force.
Read more: Rumer Willis reveals she has been struggling to love herself in lockdown
Last year, Rachel revealed that the stress of online trolling caused her then-unborn baby to stop kicking in the womb for two days.
Speaking on the Trolled podcast with EastEnders actress Tracy-Ann Oberman, she said: "I was very stressed and upset for a couple of days and my baby stopped wriggling for a couple of days.
"So at that point, it's like, 'You know what, nah It's not worth the hormones.’
"I've now changed most of my Twitter settings as you don't need to see them.
"They're not after proper debate. They're not after their minds changing. They're not doing it for virtuous reasons, so I block them."
Rachel revealed the abuse worsened last July after she publicly supported the BBC’s Panorama documentary critical of Labour's handling of anti-semitism complaints.
She now blocks Twitter trolls immediately for the sake of her health.
The star was partnered with her now-husband Pasha on the 2013 series of Strictly, and the pair began dating shortly after the show ended before wedding last year.
Rachel was previously married to businessman Jamie Gilbert, who she had met while studying at the University of Oxford.
She rose to fame after replacing Carol Vorderman on Countdown in 2009 at the age of just 22.
