Rachel Riley was diagnosed with PTSD after competing on Strictly Come Dancing
Rachel Riley has claimed she developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after competing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013.
The Countdown presenter was eliminated fifth when she competed on the BBC show with Pasha Kovalev, who is now her husband, and in a new interview with OK! magazine, she opened up about the impact the series had on her mental health.
"I needed cognitive behavioural therapy after competing in 2013 and developed post-traumatic stress disorder," Riley confessed. "If I heard the theme music, I'd start reliving the experience. It was scary and unnerving, so my way of dealing with it is to avoid watching."
However, she will be forever thankful for the show for introducing her to her partner, who she married in 2019, with her adding, "When it was announced that he was going to be my dance partner, all the dancers and crew congratulated me because everybody loved him. He's brilliant. And when you need a bit of support, that's when you know you're with the right person."
Elsewhere in the news, Riley, who is currently on maternity leave from Countdown as she imminently expecting her second child with Kovalev, is reportedly embroiled in a feud with new Countdown host Anne Robinson, with The Sun reporting that she has threatened to quit the show unless bosses take action about the former Weakest Link presenter's behaviour.
Riley has served as a co-presenter on Countdown since 2009, while Robinson joined the show as host in June. Neither has commented on the reports.
