PASHA Kovalev, one of the professional dancers on the hit TV series Strictly Come Dancing, was delighted to see the show pick up the gong for Best Talent Show at the National Television Awards this week.

Pasha, who is bringing his own show to Swindon this spring, said it was exciting to see the show he worked on win such an accolade.

He said: “I am sure there is a reason for winning – it’s the best show ever!’’ The dancer says he is proud to be part of such a successful programme. “Although it wouldn’t be the same without us pro dancers,’’ he added, cheekily.

Pasha has been on Strictly Come Dancing for the past five years and lifted the glitter ball trophy with Caroline Flack in 2014. He has also been runner-up twice, with actress Chelsee Healey and Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh.

Pasha says that despite the pressure of being on camera, both in training and on the live shows, he simply tries to bring the best out of whichever celebrity he is paired with.

“I am just doing what I do. There is more pressure on TV but you can still hide your mistakes. If your partner forgets the whole routine then you improvise so that neither the judges nor the people watching know that it is not part of your choreography,” he said.

Pasha waltzed away with a very special prize in his third year of Strictly – a girlfriend. He was partnered with Countdown’s Rachel Riley in series 11 and romance blossomed.

He says his friends among the pro dancers did take the mickey when he teamed up with Rachel, but in general there is very little competition between the dancers.

“We support each other. There is not much fighting or competing because we are all there for our celebrities, and we become submerged in the Strictly experience. We would never make fun of each other on the dance floor,’’ he said.

The dancer has appeared in a number of other dance TV shows including Dancing With The Stars, Superstars of Dance representing Russia, Strictly BBC Newsreaders programme for Children In Need, and the American version of So You Think You Can Dance.

Pasha was born in Siberia, Russia, and started dancing when he was eight years old, but moved to America in 2001.

He excelled in Latin American dance and with his professional partner at that time, Anya Garnis, was finalist in the US Open.

He and Anya have remained friends and she is one of the special guests on his own show, All About You, coming to Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre on Monday, March 21 and Tuesday, March 22 from 7.30pm.

“I have known Anya a long time, we understand the way the other one thinks. We don’t always see the same things but we take the middle way and it is exciting to create a show together,’’ said Pasha.

Tickets for the Swindon show are £24 from 01793 524481 or visit www.swindontheatres.co.uk - Flicky Harrison