Pasha Kovalev - Pasha--My Story: The Autobiography of TVs Hottest Dance Star

T he thing about Pasha Kovalev is that hes absolutely incapable of doing or saying anything that might be described as self-promotion. Despite being one of the most talented dancers in the industry, handsome and charming to boot, he never, ever boasts. So I think what Im going to have to do in this foreword is all of Pashas boasting for him! I think its important that you really understand how special the man whose story youre about to read is.

People often strike up a conversation with me about my experience as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing and it quickly becomes apparent that theyre not interested in me in the slightest everyone wants to know about Pasha! The most common question is: Is Pasha as lovely as he appears on television?

To everyone who has ever pondered that question, I have to tell you that the answer is a resounding yes! Pasha finds a level with everyone he meets. Spending so much time together for Strictly, I observed the way he was with people men, women and children and hed always find a way to make them feel uniquely cherished. It doesnt matter where you come from or what you do, Pasha finds a way to make you feel like youre the centre of the universe. He weaves a quiet magic that leaves everyone he encounters eager to spend more time with him.

Pasha is universally popular with everyone that he meets and his charisma shines out through the television screen and radiates out from a stage. But he doesnt crave approval or try to be admired and, ironically, thats exactly why he is.

Despite being under immense pressure to teach me the incredibly complicated and skilful art of ballroom dancing over a period of just weeks, Pasha never once lost his cool. I have never seen his equilibrium slip. Within our working relationship, he was always the calm and I was the storm. If I was freaking out one week about what comments the Strictly judges might make about our routine, for example, hed always know what to say or do to reassure me. Invariably, hed say, Why would you ever worry about that? Just focus on the dance.

I think Pashas advice to me in those situations reflects his general philosophy on life. All the fame and adoration he has now has happened by accident rather than design. But, ultimately, while he loves engaging with his fans and is very grateful for their support, he is first and foremost completely devoted to his craft. He isnt afraid of hard graft in order to be the very best dancer he can possibly be. Hes always striving to improve, too. This is without question reflected in his performance his technical ability is astounding.

Having said that, though, Pashas number-one priority when dancing is to make his partner look good. When I partnered him on Strictly, he was there being quietly brilliant in the background in a way that allowed me to shine. I see him doing that with every person he partners. Other dancers want all eyes to be on them, but not Pasha; he is a phenomenal teacher and he knew how to bring out the best in me.

Pasha wouldnt have been able to teach me to ballroom dance the way he did if I hadnt trusted him. My trust was something he was able to gain with ease. I was never worried that we were doing anything that would leave me feeling humiliated, simply to generate a headline. He gets genuine pleasure from seeing other people fulfil their potential.

What surprised me most about meeting and working with Pasha was his sense of humour. Russians have a reputation for being quite solemn, but he managed to have me in hysterics a lot of the time. Although Pasha originates from Russia, and is now an American citizen, I feel that his humour is very British in its nature. He is very dry and super-quick to make a witty remark, even though English is his second language.

Pasha and I found common ground when working together in that we are both our own harshest critics. This can sometimes be a good trait it means that youre constantly striving to improve your skill but it can also mean that you dont take the time to enjoy your achievements and pat yourself on the back. While youre reading this book, remember that, every time Pasha says he was lucky to get an opportunity, it means that he worked hours beyond human endurance to showcase his talent and get that chance. Every time he says that he performed well, you should read fantastic. Exaggerate everything Pasha writes by a factor of ten, dont let his humility fool you and youll really get a sense of how extraordinary he is.

There arent many of Pashas kind left in the world; he is a true gentleman. What strikes you most about him, though, is his quiet confidence. In an industry thats notoriously full of huge egos masking even bigger insecurities, Ive never seen Pasha have a moment of self-consciousness.

You can guarantee that you wont find salacious bits of celebrity tittle-tattle within the pages of this book. What you will find is the extraordinary story of a man who danced his way from the unlikeliest of roots to become a national treasure.

I hope that you will find reading Pashas journey as inspiring as I found it to work with him.

Enjoy!

Kimberley Walsh

2013