Rachel Riley shares pictures of baby daughter Maven after giving birth in her bathroom

18 December 2019, 09:55

Countdown maths whizz Rachel Riley has shared pictures of her baby daughter who was born in the bathroom at the TV star's home.

Rachel welcomed a little girl with husband Pasha Kovalev, a former Strictly professional dancer.

She tweeted the news alongside a series of photographs of the newborn.

She tweeted: "2 weeks after we were expecting her this little one finally made an appearance! Miss Maven (one who understands) Aria (lioness) Riley Kovaleva arrived on Sunday morning weighing in at 7lbs 4.

"After keeping us waiting she came so fast we didn't get to hospital & was born in our bathroom with our amazing doula & wonderful St Mary's midwives rushing over to be with us just in time!

"She's absolutely perfect & Pasha & I are in newborn bliss. Couldn't be more in love".

Riley and Kovalev met on Strictly in 2013, and married in a Las Vegas ceremony earlier this year.

The Countdown star announced in May that she was expecting a baby.

She posted a picture on Instagram cradling a baby bump on the set of the Channel 4 game show, with the letters on the board spelling out "R TINY MATE".

She wrote: "Pash and I have a conundrum for you... you have till December to work it out!"

Riley started dating Kovalev after splitting from her husband and fellow Oxford University student Jamie Gilbert in 2013.

Earlier this year Kovalev announced he was leaving Strictly after eight years on the show.

Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez became parents in the summer after meeting on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017.

Atkinson was partnered with Aljaz Skorjanec and Marquez with Alexandra Burke.