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| spouse = {{marriage|Jamie Gilbert|2012|2013}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Jamie Gilbert|2012|2013}}
| employer = [[Channel 4]], [[Sky Sports]]
| employer = [[Channel 4]], [[Sky Sports]]
| partner = [[Pasha Kovalev]] (2014–present)
| partner = [[Pasha Kovalev]] (2014–present)
}}
}}


'''Rachel Annabelle Riley'''<ref>{{cite web|url= http://namesdatabase.com/people/RILEY/RACHEL%20ANNABELLE/1809930|title= Names Database|accessdate= 12 March 2011|deadurl= yes|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20101120025039/http://namesdatabase.com/people/RILEY/RACHEL%20ANNABELLE/1809930|archivedate= 20 November 2010|df= dmy-all}}</ref> (born 11 January 1986)<ref>The edition of 11 January 2011 of the show mentioned that that day was her 25th birthday.</ref> is an [[English people|English]] television presenter who currently co-presents the [[Channel 4]] daytime puzzle show ''[[Countdown (game show)|Countdown]]'' and its comedy spin-off ''[[8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown]]''. A mathematics graduate, her television debut came when she joined ''Countdown'' at age 22.
'''Rachel Annabelle Riley'''<ref>{{cite web|url= http://namesdatabase.com/people/RILEY/RACHEL%20ANNABELLE/1809930|title= Names Database|accessdate= 12 March 2011|deadurl= yes|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20101120025039/http://namesdatabase.com/people/RILEY/RACHEL%20ANNABELLE/1809930|archivedate= 20 November 2010|df= dmy-all}}</ref> (born 11 January 1986)<ref>The edition of 11 January 2011 of the show mentioned that that day was her 25th birthday.</ref> is an [[English people|English]] television presenter best known for co-presenting [[Channel 4]] daytime puzzle show ''[[Countdown (game show)|Countdown]]'' and its comedy spin-off ''[[8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown]]''. A mathematics graduate, her television debut came when she joined ''Countdown'' aged 22.


With a passion for popularising maths and the sciences, she has gone on to co-present ''[[The Gadget Show]]'' on [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]] (2013–14) and ''[[It's Not Rocket Science (TV series)|It's Not Rocket Science]]'' on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] (2016). In 2013 she was a contestant on the [[BBC]] celebrity dance show ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]''.
With an interest in popularising maths and the sciences, she has since co-presented ''[[The Gadget Show]]'' on [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]] (2013–14) and ''[[It's Not Rocket Science (TV series)|It's Not Rocket Science]]'' on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] (2016). In 2013 she was a contestant on the [[BBC]] celebrity dance show ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]''.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Born in [[Rochford]], [[Essex]],<ref>[http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/southend/4528933.Campaign_can_count_on_Rachel_s_support/ Campaign can count on Rachel Riley's support] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231123919/http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/southend/4528933.Campaign_can_count_on_Rachel_s_support/ |date=31 December 2013 }} [[Evening Echo (Essex)|Evening Echo]], 5 August 2009, accessdate=31 December 2013</ref> Riley was brought up in the [[Thorpe Bay]] area of [[Southend-on-Sea]] and was educated at the independent [[Thorpe Hall School]], and [[Southend High School for Girls]], a [[grammar school]], where she obtained four As at [[GCE Advanced Level|A-Level]]. She then studied mathematics at [[Oriel College, Oxford]], gaining an [[upper second-class honours]] [[Undergraduate degree|degree]].<ref>She then completed a Master of Arts degree.Riley's nickname at university was, she revealed on crystal maze, the 'angry chav'. {{cite news|url= http://www.echo-news.co.uk/archive/2011/07/27/9160420.I_really_love__Countdown____trust_me__it_is_not_being_axed/|title= I really love Countdown... trust me, it is not being axed|newspaper= Southend Echo|date= 27 July 2011|accessdate= 30 November 2013|deadurl= yes|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20131203013400/http://www.echo-news.co.uk/archive/2011/07/27/9160420.I_really_love__Countdown____trust_me__it_is_not_being_axed/|archivedate= 3 December 2013|df= dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetartpaper.com/articles/view/537|title=New hosts Jeff Stelling and Rachel Riley Debut on Countdown|accessdate=17 January 2009|work=|publisher=''The Tart''|date=16 January 2009|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303184931/http://www.thetartpaper.com/articles/view/537|archivedate=3 March 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
Born in [[Rochford]], [[Essex]],<ref>[http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/southend/4528933.Campaign_can_count_on_Rachel_s_support/ Campaign can count on Rachel Riley's support] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231123919/http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/southend/4528933.Campaign_can_count_on_Rachel_s_support/ |date=31 December 2013 }} [[Evening Echo (Essex)|Evening Echo]], 5 August 2009, accessdate=31 December 2013</ref> Riley was raised in the [[Thorpe Bay]] area of [[Southend-on-Sea]] and was educated at the independent [[Thorpe Hall School]], and [[Southend High School for Girls]], a [[grammar school]], where she obtained four As at [[GCE Advanced Level|A-Level]]. She then studied mathematics at [[Oriel College, Oxford]], gaining an [[upper second-class honours]] [[Undergraduate degree|degree]].<ref>She then completed a Master of Arts degree.Riley's nickname at university was, she revealed on crystal maze, the 'angry chav'. {{cite news|url= http://www.echo-news.co.uk/archive/2011/07/27/9160420.I_really_love__Countdown____trust_me__it_is_not_being_axed/|title= I really love Countdown... trust me, it is not being axed|newspaper= Southend Echo|date= 27 July 2011|accessdate= 30 November 2013|deadurl= yes|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20131203013400/http://www.echo-news.co.uk/archive/2011/07/27/9160420.I_really_love__Countdown____trust_me__it_is_not_being_axed/|archivedate= 3 December 2013|df= dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetartpaper.com/articles/view/537|title=New hosts Jeff Stelling and Rachel Riley Debut on Countdown|accessdate=17 January 2009|work=|publisher=''The Tart''|date=16 January 2009|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303184931/http://www.thetartpaper.com/articles/view/537|archivedate=3 March 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


== Early career ==
== Early career ==
During a university vacation, Riley considered a career in the financial sector, and completed an internship at [[Deutsche Bank]] in the [[City of London]]. The experience put her off; although already familiar with male-dominated environments in the field of mathematics, she found the extreme behaviour of city traders wearing, and not being a "morning person" she also disliked the early morning train commute.<ref name=":2">[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10909618/Rachel-Riley-Strictly-magnified-the-fault-lines-in-my-marriage.html Rachel Riley: 'Strictly magnified the fault lines in my marriage'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620003414/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10909618/Rachel-Riley-Strictly-magnified-the-fault-lines-in-my-marriage.html |date=20 June 2014 }} ''[[Daily Telegraph]]'', 18 June 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2014.</ref>
During a university vacation, Riley considered a career in the financial sector, and completed an internship at [[Deutsche Bank]] in the [[City of London]]. The experience put her off; although already familiar with male-dominated environments in the field of mathematics, she found the extreme behaviour of city traders wearing, and not being a "morning person" she also disliked the early morning train commute.<ref name=":2">[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10909618/Rachel-Riley-Strictly-magnified-the-fault-lines-in-my-marriage.html Rachel Riley: 'Strictly magnified the fault lines in my marriage'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620003414/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10909618/Rachel-Riley-Strictly-magnified-the-fault-lines-in-my-marriage.html |date=20 June 2014 }} ''[[Daily Telegraph]]'', 18 June 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2014.</ref>


Her maths degree helped her get a job performing [[statistical analysis]] for a [[price comparison]] [[Startup company|start-up company]].<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/maths-reform/9057554/Telegraph-numeracy-campaign-Remove-the-stigma-around-maths.html Telegraph numeracy campaign: Remove the stigma around maths] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228185741/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/maths-reform/9057554/Telegraph-numeracy-campaign-Remove-the-stigma-around-maths.html |date=28 February 2014 }} ''[[Daily Telegraph]]'', 4 February 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2014.</ref> Riley also took a [[Postgraduate education|postgraduate degree]], a master's degree, being attracted by the intersection of mathematics and civil engineering.<ref name=":2" />
Her maths degree helped her gain employment performing [[statistical analysis]] for a [[price comparison]] [[Startup company|start-up company]].<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/maths-reform/9057554/Telegraph-numeracy-campaign-Remove-the-stigma-around-maths.html Telegraph numeracy campaign: Remove the stigma around maths] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228185741/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/maths-reform/9057554/Telegraph-numeracy-campaign-Remove-the-stigma-around-maths.html |date=28 February 2014 }} ''[[Daily Telegraph]]'', 4 February 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2014.</ref> Riley also took a [[Postgraduate education|postgraduate degree]], a master's degree, being attracted by the intersection of mathematics and civil engineering.<ref name=":2" />


==Television==
==Television==
Riley's television debut came in January 2009, when at the age of 22 she joined the [[Channel 4]] letters and numbers game show ''[[Countdown (game show)|Countdown]].''<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" /> Prior to this'','' Riley had received no training for working in television and had no other experience with the media industry, leading to descriptions of her landing this role as a baptism of fire, given its status as a "jewel in the broadcasting crown", according to one media commentator. While occupying the niche role, she long believed she was not a television presenter, but she came to realise that the industry has changed, so that "I don't think there's such a thing as a TV presenter any more. There are just people who go on TV".<ref name=":4" />
Riley's television debut came in January 2009, when at the age of 22 she joined the [[Channel 4]] letters and numbers game show ''[[Countdown (game show)|Countdown]].''<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" /> Riley had received no training for working in television and had no other experience with the media industry, leading to descriptions of her landing this role as a baptism of fire, given its status as a "jewel in the broadcasting crown", according to one media commentator. While occupying the niche role, she long believed she was not a television presenter, but she came to realise that the industry has changed, so that "I don't think there's such a thing as a TV presenter any more. There are just people who go on TV".<ref name=":4" />


As her popularity grew due to daily appearances on ''Countdown'', she branched out into other roles, co-presenting ''[[8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown]]'' and ''[[The Gadget Show]],'' although her profile was significantly boosted by her appearance as a contestant on ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'', which largely "catapulted [Riley] onto the A-list" and opened up the doors for new television roles, according to another commentator.<ref name=":2" /> In 2014, two years before her role on ''[[It's Not Rocket Science (TV series)|It's Not Rocket Science]]'', she said, "I'd love to present a popular science programme because it's something I feel very passionate about."<ref name=":2" />
In due course, she branched out into other roles, co-presenting ''[[8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown]]'' and ''[[The Gadget Show]],'' although her profile was significantly boosted by her appearance as a contestant on ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'', which largely "catapulted [Riley] onto the A-list" and opened up the doors for new television roles, according to another commentator.<ref name=":2" /> In 2014, two years before her role on ''[[It's Not Rocket Science (TV series)|It's Not Rocket Science]]'', she said, "I'd love to present a popular science programme because it's something I feel very passionate about."<ref name=":2" />


=== ''Countdown'' ===
=== ''Countdown'' ===
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Riley takes the role of solving the numbers round so seriously that if she cannot solve it on the show, she takes it away with her to finish, commenting "I'm really [[Obsessive–compulsive disorder|OCD]] about it. I have to get it. I like puzzles – that's what I do, that's why I applied for the job, that's why I used to watch Countdown when I was younger. I like solving stuff." She has attributed this compulsion to a nervy and flustered start in the role which resulted in her making some errors, although she says she has since got the hang of it and the task is now a matter of routine. In contrast, on account of her "really immature sense of humour" she has some difficulty in maintaining her composure during the words round whenever rude words appear.<ref name="Mail1" />
Riley takes the role of solving the numbers round so seriously that if she cannot solve it on the show, she takes it away with her to finish, commenting "I'm really [[Obsessive–compulsive disorder|OCD]] about it. I have to get it. I like puzzles – that's what I do, that's why I applied for the job, that's why I used to watch Countdown when I was younger. I like solving stuff." She has attributed this compulsion to a nervy and flustered start in the role which resulted in her making some errors, although she says she has since got the hang of it and the task is now a matter of routine. In contrast, on account of her "really immature sense of humour" she has some difficulty in maintaining her composure during the words round whenever rude words appear.<ref name="Mail1" />


Riley frequently encounters close media and public scrutiny of what she wears on the show, with her wardrobe choices attracting intense social media comment on Twitter and YouTube and even national headlines, particularly if they are deemed too revealing or tight.<ref name="Mail1" /><ref name=":1" /> Working with a wardrobe consultant, she obtains most of the clothes from High Street stores, although some are purchased from a small boutique near her home in Southend. While trying to please everybody with varied choices, she nonetheless takes a phlegmatic approach to the attention, commenting, "even with the same outfit you'll get polar-opposite views, so you can't win. You’ve just got to learn that you can't please everyone all of the time". The number of episodes means wearing some outfits more than once is inevitable—she donates items she no longer requires to charity, some being auctioned by her mother.<ref name="Mail1" />
Riley frequently encounters close media and public scrutiny of what she wears on the show, with her wardrobe choices attracting intense social media comment on [[Twitter]] and [[YouTube]] and even national headlines.<ref name="Mail1" /><ref name=":1" /> Working with a wardrobe consultant, she obtains most of the clothes from High Street stores, although some are purchased from a small boutique near her home in Southend. While trying to please everybody with varied choices, she nonetheless takes a phlegmatic approach to the attention, commenting, "even with the same outfit you'll get polar-opposite views, so you can't win. You’ve just got to learn that you can't please everyone all of the time". The number of episodes means wearing some outfits more than once is inevitable—she donates items she no longer requires to charity, some being auctioned by her mother.<ref name="Mail1" />


=== ''8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown'' ===
=== ''8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown'' ===
Since it was first broadcast on 2 January 2012, Riley has also performed her ''Countdown'' role on the comedy crossover spin-off version, ''[[8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown]]'', alongside comedian [[Jimmy Carr]] as host. While ''Countdown'' is seen as a straight light entertainment show, in explaining the difference between the two, Riley sees ''Countdown'' as the role she is happy for her grandmother to see, while ''Cats Does Countdown'' is the more risqué, cheeky, role which she shows to her friends.<ref name=":4">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3476428/How-Pasha-waltzed-heart-Countdown-s-Rachel-Riley-romance-dancer-Pasha-Kovalev-totally-transformed-life.html|title=How Pasha waltzed off with my heart: Countdown's Rachel Riley|access-date=26 July 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605165003/http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3476428/How-Pasha-waltzed-heart-Countdown-s-Rachel-Riley-romance-dancer-Pasha-Kovalev-totally-transformed-life.html|archivedate=5 June 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Some of the running gags used on the show are made by Carr at Riley's expense, aimed at her lack of dancing ability and a supposed frosty relationship with Vorderman, while in return Riley is often given jokes which mock Carr's supposed desires on herself and his [[tax avoidance]]. Due to scheduling conflicts with filming for ''It's Not Rocket Science'', Riley was replaced by [[Claudia Winkleman]] for two episodes in series nine (broadcast 3 and 10 March 2016). Rachel is a fan of Bill Bailey, who also appears on the show.
Since it was first broadcast on 2 January 2012, Riley has also performed her ''Countdown'' role on the comedy crossover spin-off version, ''[[8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown]]'', alongside comedian [[Jimmy Carr]] as host. While ''Countdown'' is seen as a straight light entertainment show, in explaining the difference between the two, Riley sees ''Countdown'' as the role she is happy for her grandmother to see, while ''Cats Does Countdown'' is the more risqué, cheeky, role which she shows to her friends.<ref name=":4">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3476428/How-Pasha-waltzed-heart-Countdown-s-Rachel-Riley-romance-dancer-Pasha-Kovalev-totally-transformed-life.html|title=How Pasha waltzed off with my heart: Countdown's Rachel Riley|access-date=26 July 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605165003/http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3476428/How-Pasha-waltzed-heart-Countdown-s-Rachel-Riley-romance-dancer-Pasha-Kovalev-totally-transformed-life.html|archivedate=5 June 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Some of the running gags used on the show are made by Carr at Riley's expense, aimed at her lack of dancing ability and a supposed frosty relationship with Vorderman, while in return Riley is often given jokes which mock Carr's supposed desires on herself and his [[tax avoidance]]. Due to scheduling conflicts with filming for ''It's Not Rocket Science'', Riley was replaced by [[Claudia Winkleman]] for two episodes in series nine (broadcast 3 and 10 March 2016).


===''Strictly Come Dancing''===
===''Strictly Come Dancing''===
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==Other work==
==Other work==
On 26 June 2009, it was reported that Riley had been recruited by Post Office to employ her mathematical skills to help advise holidaymakers on how to make the most of their holiday currency, after a report by the Post Office revealed that a significant number of holidaymakers fail to calculate the actual cost of goods and services when travelling abroad and often overspend their holiday budgets.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1195536/Rachel-Rileys-currency-countdown-Britons-lose-288m-year-poor-maths.html|title= Rachel Riley's currency countdown as Britons lose £288m a year over poor maths|work= Mail Online|first= Sebastian|last= Lander|date= 26 June 2009|accessdate= 11 July 2009|deadurl= no|archiveurl= https://archive.is/20120723074841/http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1195536/Rachel-Rileys-currency-countdown-Britons-lose-288m-year-poor-maths.html|archivedate= 23 July 2012|df= dmy-all}}</ref>

Her mathematics background and love of football has seen Riley assist bookmakers in preparing betting odds for football tournaments; based on her analysis she predicted [[Chile national football team|Chile]] would win the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]], despite appreciating fans would see it as an unlikely outcome (Chile were ultimately knocked out in the Round of 16).<ref name=":2" />
Her mathematics background and love of football has seen Riley assist bookmakers in preparing betting odds for football tournaments; based on her analysis she predicted [[Chile national football team|Chile]] would win the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]], despite appreciating fans would see it as an unlikely outcome (Chile were ultimately knocked out in the Round of 16).<ref name=":2" />


==Personal life==
==Personal life==


Riley was married for 16 months to Jamie Gilbert, whom she met while they were both studying at the [[University of Oxford]]. After four and a half years together, the couple initially split at the end of 2009,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1239646/Countdowns-Rachel-Riley-single-splitting-boyfriend-years.html|title=Countdown's Rachel Riley is single after splitting with boyfriend of four years|last=Todd|first=Ben|date=1 January 2010|work=Mail Online|accessdate=1 January 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120801233115/http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1239646/Countdowns-Rachel-Riley-single-splitting-boyfriend-years.html|archivedate=1 August 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> before reconciling. Gilbert then proposed on her 25th birthday on 11 January 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1350335/Countdown-presenter-Rachel-Riley-gets-engaged-millionaire-boyfriend.html|title=Rachel Riley begins the Countdown to her big day after getting engaged to millionaire boyfriend|date=25 January 2011|work=Mail Online|publisher=Associated Newspapers Ltd|accessdate=14 February 2011|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120729203238/http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1350335/Countdown-presenter-Rachel-Riley-gets-engaged-millionaire-boyfriend.html|archivedate=29 July 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> They married on 11 August 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2190782/Countdown-star-Rachel-Riley-weds-university-sweetheart.html|title=Countdown star Rachel Riley weds her university sweetheart|date=20 August 2012|publisher=Dailymail.co.uk|author=Emily Sheridan|work=Mail Online|accessdate=2 June 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20130419225209/http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2190782/Countdown-star-Rachel-Riley-weds-university-sweetheart.html|archivedate=19 April 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Although they married in a civil ceremony, Gilbert followed the Jewish tradition of [[Jewish wedding#Breaking the glass|stamping on a glass]].<ref>{{cite web|title=JOINED BY HER 'COUNTDOWN' CO-STARS RACHEL RILEY REVEALS WHY TWO IS THE PERFECT NUMBER AS SHE MARRIED JAMIE GILBERT IN A STUNNING SUFFOLK CEREMONY|url=http://www.dawnemery.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/heuk124022-27weddingriley.pdf|year=2012|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114170238/http://www.dawnemery.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/heuk124022-27weddingriley.pdf|archivedate=14 January 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It was announced in November 2013 that they were separating.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/10482574/Rachel-Riley-in-split-from-husband.html|title=Rachel Riley in split from husband|last=Carter|first=Claire|date=29 November 2013|publisher=Telegraph Media Group|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=29 November 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131130003227/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/10482574/Rachel-Riley-in-split-from-husband.html|archivedate=30 November 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
Riley was married for 16 months to Jamie Gilbert, whom she met while they were both studying at the [[University of Oxford]]. After four and a half years together, the couple initially split at the end of 2009,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1239646/Countdowns-Rachel-Riley-single-splitting-boyfriend-years.html|title=Countdown's Rachel Riley is single after splitting with boyfriend of four years|last=Todd|first=Ben|date=1 January 2010|work=Mail Online|accessdate=1 January 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120801233115/http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1239646/Countdowns-Rachel-Riley-single-splitting-boyfriend-years.html|archivedate=1 August 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> before reconciling. Gilbert then proposed on her 25th birthday on 11 January 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1350335/Countdown-presenter-Rachel-Riley-gets-engaged-millionaire-boyfriend.html|title=Rachel Riley begins the Countdown to her big day after getting engaged to millionaire boyfriend|date=25 January 2011|work=Mail Online|publisher=Associated Newspapers Ltd|accessdate=14 February 2011|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120729203238/http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1350335/Countdown-presenter-Rachel-Riley-gets-engaged-millionaire-boyfriend.html|archivedate=29 July 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The couple married on 11 August 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2190782/Countdown-star-Rachel-Riley-weds-university-sweetheart.html|title=Countdown star Rachel Riley weds her university sweetheart|date=20 August 2012|publisher=Dailymail.co.uk|author=Emily Sheridan|work=Mail Online|accessdate=2 June 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20130419225209/http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2190782/Countdown-star-Rachel-Riley-weds-university-sweetheart.html|archivedate=19 April 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Although they married in a civil ceremony, Gilbert followed the Jewish tradition of [[Jewish wedding#Breaking the glass|stamping on a glass]];<ref>{{cite web|title=JOINED BY HER 'COUNTDOWN' CO-STARS RACHEL RILEY REVEALS WHY TWO IS THE PERFECT NUMBER AS SHE MARRIED JAMIE GILBERT IN A STUNNING SUFFOLK CEREMONY|url=http://www.dawnemery.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/heuk124022-27weddingriley.pdf|year=2012|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114170238/http://www.dawnemery.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/heuk124022-27weddingriley.pdf|archivedate=14 January 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Riley is [[Jewish]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Rocker|first=Simon|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/the-diary/countdown-s-yiddishe-gal-1.33323|title=Countdown's yiddishe gal|work=The Jewish Chronicle|date=10 May 2012|access-date=9 January 2019}}</ref> <!-- See: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2117986/RICHARD-KAY-Countdown-queen-Rachels-wedding-conundrum.html "I’m a non-religious Jew and we’re both pretty atheist, so it will be a civil ceremony" Richard Kay, Mailonline, 21 March 2012. --> It was announced in November 2013 that they were separating.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/10482574/Rachel-Riley-in-split-from-husband.html|title=Rachel Riley in split from husband|last=Carter|first=Claire|date=29 November 2013|publisher=Telegraph Media Group|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=29 November 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131130003227/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/10482574/Rachel-Riley-in-split-from-husband.html|archivedate=30 November 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


Riley is a keen supporter of [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], like her father (who was originally from [[County Borough of Salford|Salford]], [[Lancashire]]).<ref>[http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/10176379.Me_a_sex_symbol__It_doesn___t_add_up__says_Rachel_Riley/ Me a sex symbol? It just doesn’t add up, says Rachel Riley] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206103923/http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/10176379.Me_a_sex_symbol__It_doesn___t_add_up__says_Rachel_Riley/ |date=6 February 2017 }} ''Southend Echo'', 22 January 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2013.</ref><ref name="mediamonkey">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/jun/24/countdown-rachel-riley-ryan-giggs|title=Countdown: Rachel Riley red-faced over Ryan Giggs|date=24 June 2013|work=The Guardian|accessdate=24 June 2013|author=Media Monkey|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130831220936/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/jun/24/countdown-rachel-riley-ryan-giggs|archivedate=31 August 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In October 2010, Riley presented a programme on the club's television channel, [[MUTV (Manchester United F.C.)|MUTV]], featuring a tour of their [[Trafford Training Centre]] in [[Carrington, Greater Manchester|Carrington]]. She has also hosted episodes of ''An Audience with...'' on the channel. To mark her 1,000th episode of ''Countdown'' (aired on 25 June 2013), United player [[Ryan Giggs]] presented her with a signed team shirt, Giggs himself having celebrated his 1,000th game for the club the same year.<ref name="mediamonkey" /><ref>[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a492587/ryan-giggs-to-appear-on-rachel-rileys-1000th-countdown-episode.html Ryan Giggs to appear on Rachel Riley's 1,000th 'Countdown' episode – TV News – Digital Spy<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627164443/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a492587/ryan-giggs-to-appear-on-rachel-rileys-1000th-countdown-episode.html |date=27 June 2013 }}</ref> In her appearance as a contestant on the BBC quiz show ''[[Celebrity Mastermind]]'', broadcast on 4 January 2012, her specialist subject was a limited (13 year) history of the club; she eventually finished in joint second place.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-09-02/strictly-come-dancing-2013-rachel-riley|title=Strictly Come Dancing 2013: Rachel Riley|access-date=25 July 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822035833/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-09-02/strictly-come-dancing-2013-rachel-riley|archivedate=22 August 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01977sw|title=Episode 7, 2011/2012, Celebrity Mastermind – BBC One|website=BBC|access-date=25 July 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111230009/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01977sw|archivedate=11 January 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
Riley is a keen supporter of [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], like her father (who was originally from [[County Borough of Salford|Salford]], [[Lancashire]]).<ref>[http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/10176379.Me_a_sex_symbol__It_doesn___t_add_up__says_Rachel_Riley/ Me a sex symbol? It just doesn’t add up, says Rachel Riley] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206103923/http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/10176379.Me_a_sex_symbol__It_doesn___t_add_up__says_Rachel_Riley/ |date=6 February 2017 }} ''Southend Echo'', 22 January 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2013.</ref><ref name="mediamonkey">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/jun/24/countdown-rachel-riley-ryan-giggs|title=Countdown: Rachel Riley red-faced over Ryan Giggs|date=24 June 2013|work=The Guardian|accessdate=24 June 2013|author=Media Monkey|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130831220936/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/jun/24/countdown-rachel-riley-ryan-giggs|archivedate=31 August 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In October 2010, Riley presented a programme on the club's television channel, [[MUTV (Manchester United F.C.)|MUTV]], featuring a tour of their [[Trafford Training Centre]] in [[Carrington, Greater Manchester|Carrington]]. She has also hosted episodes of ''An Audience with...'' on the channel. To mark her 1,000th episode of ''Countdown'' (aired on 25 June 2013), United player [[Ryan Giggs]] presented her with a signed team shirt, Giggs himself having celebrated his 1,000th game for the club the same year.<ref name="mediamonkey" /><ref>[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a492587/ryan-giggs-to-appear-on-rachel-rileys-1000th-countdown-episode.html Ryan Giggs to appear on Rachel Riley's 1,000th 'Countdown' episode – TV News – Digital Spy<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627164443/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a492587/ryan-giggs-to-appear-on-rachel-rileys-1000th-countdown-episode.html |date=27 June 2013 }}</ref> In her appearance as a contestant on the BBC quiz show ''[[Celebrity Mastermind]]'', broadcast on 4 January 2012, her specialist subject was a limited (13 year) history of the club; she eventually finished in joint second place.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-09-02/strictly-come-dancing-2013-rachel-riley|title=Strictly Come Dancing 2013: Rachel Riley|access-date=25 July 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822035833/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-09-02/strictly-come-dancing-2013-rachel-riley|archivedate=22 August 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01977sw|title=Episode 7, 2011/2012, Celebrity Mastermind – BBC One|website=BBC|access-date=25 July 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111230009/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01977sw|archivedate=11 January 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


Riley has been dating her former Strictly partner [[Pasha Kovalev]] since 2014, and the couple now live together in London.<ref name="standard">{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/strictly-come-dancing-curse-won-t-ruin-rachel-riley-relationship-says-pasha-kovalev-a3340186.html|title=Strictly Come Dancing curse won't ruin Rachel Riley relationship says Pasha Kovalev|publisher=[[Evening Standard]]|accessdate=12 December 2016}}</ref> Riley is learning [[Russian language|Russian]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Countdown star Rachel Riley: I’m learning Russian for Pasha Kovalev – but marriage isn’t something I’m aiming for|url=http://www.celebsnow.co.uk/celebrity-news/countdown-star-rachel-riley-i-m-learning-russian-for-pasha-kovalev-but-marriage-isn-t-something-i-m-aiming-for-284751|date=17 May 2015|publisher=CelebsNow}}</ref> She revealed to have become a vegan in late 2018.<ref>''[[8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown]]'', season 16, episode 9 (Christmas special)</ref>
Riley has been dating her former Strictly partner [[Pasha Kovalev]] since 2014, and the couple now live together in London.<ref name="standard">{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/strictly-come-dancing-curse-won-t-ruin-rachel-riley-relationship-says-pasha-kovalev-a3340186.html|title=Strictly Come Dancing curse won't ruin Rachel Riley relationship says Pasha Kovalev|publisher=[[Evening Standard]]|accessdate=12 December 2016}}</ref> Riley is learning [[Russian language|Russian]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Countdown star Rachel Riley: I’m learning Russian for Pasha Kovalev – but marriage isn’t something I’m aiming for|url=http://www.celebsnow.co.uk/celebrity-news/countdown-star-rachel-riley-i-m-learning-russian-for-pasha-kovalev-but-marriage-isn-t-something-i-m-aiming-for-284751|date=17 May 2015|publisher=CelebsNow}}</ref> She revealed in late 2018 that she had become a vegan.<ref>''[[8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown]]'', season 16, episode 9 (Christmas special)</ref>


==Educational advocacy==
==Educational advocacy==
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[[Category:Alumni of Oriel College, Oxford]]
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[[Category:English atheists]]
[[Category:English people of Jewish descent]]
[[Category:English people of Jewish descent]]
[[Category:British Jews]]
[[Category:British Jews]]
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[[Category:English television presenters]]
[[Category:English television presenters]]

Revision as of 22:07, 9 January 2019

This article is about the British television presenter. For the American reality show contestant, see Rachel Reilly.

Rachel Riley
Born
Rachel Annabelle Riley

(1986-01-11) 11 January 1986 (age 38)
Rochford, Essex, England[1]
NationalityBritish
Alma materOriel College, Oxford
OccupationTelevision presenter
Years active2009–present
Employer(s)Channel 4, Sky Sports
Spouse
Jamie Gilbert
​
(m. 2012⁠–⁠2013)​
PartnerPasha Kovalev (2014–present)

Rachel Annabelle Riley[2] (born 11 January 1986)[3] is an English television presenter best known for co-presenting Channel 4 daytime puzzle show Countdown and its comedy spin-off 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. A mathematics graduate, her television debut came when she joined Countdown aged 22.

With an interest in popularising maths and the sciences, she has since co-presented The Gadget Show on Channel 5 (2013–14) and It's Not Rocket Science on ITV (2016). In 2013 she was a contestant on the BBC celebrity dance show Strictly Come Dancing.

Early life

Born in Rochford, Essex,[4] Riley was raised in the Thorpe Bay area of Southend-on-Sea and was educated at the independent Thorpe Hall School, and Southend High School for Girls, a grammar school, where she obtained four As at A-Level. She then studied mathematics at Oriel College, Oxford, gaining an upper second-class honours degree.[5][6]

Early career

During a university vacation, Riley considered a career in the financial sector, and completed an internship at Deutsche Bank in the City of London. The experience put her off; although already familiar with male-dominated environments in the field of mathematics, she found the extreme behaviour of city traders wearing, and not being a "morning person" she also disliked the early morning train commute.[7]

Her maths degree helped her gain employment performing statistical analysis for a price comparison start-up company.[8] Riley also took a postgraduate degree, a master's degree, being attracted by the intersection of mathematics and civil engineering.[7]

Television

Riley's television debut came in January 2009, when at the age of 22 she joined the Channel 4 letters and numbers game show Countdown.[9][10] Riley had received no training for working in television and had no other experience with the media industry, leading to descriptions of her landing this role as a baptism of fire, given its status as a "jewel in the broadcasting crown", according to one media commentator. While occupying the niche role, she long believed she was not a television presenter, but she came to realise that the industry has changed, so that "I don't think there's such a thing as a TV presenter any more. There are just people who go on TV".[11]

In due course, she branched out into other roles, co-presenting 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and The Gadget Show, although her profile was significantly boosted by her appearance as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, which largely "catapulted [Riley] onto the A-list" and opened up the doors for new television roles, according to another commentator.[7] In 2014, two years before her role on It's Not Rocket Science, she said, "I'd love to present a popular science programme because it's something I feel very passionate about."[7]

Countdown

On Countdown, Riley replaced the long-serving Carol Vorderman. Like Vorderman, Riley's role is to handle the placement of tiles on the board for the letters and numbers rounds and to find an exact solution in the numbers rounds if the contestants are unable to do so.[9][10]

Riley's appointment to Countdown was announced at the same time as the announcement of a new main host, Jeff Stelling, replacing Des O'Connor; the duo of Stelling and Riley were in place for the new series beginning in January 2009.[9] Although she had no ambition to be a television presenter, she was encouraged to apply by her mother, and decided to do so because she was interested in the numbers part of the game.[12] Having beaten 1,000 applicants for the role, she commented, "There's only one cool maths job around and I was lucky enough to get it so I'm absolutely thrilled".[9]

Riley takes the role of solving the numbers round so seriously that if she cannot solve it on the show, she takes it away with her to finish, commenting "I'm really OCD about it. I have to get it. I like puzzles – that's what I do, that's why I applied for the job, that's why I used to watch Countdown when I was younger. I like solving stuff." She has attributed this compulsion to a nervy and flustered start in the role which resulted in her making some errors, although she says she has since got the hang of it and the task is now a matter of routine. In contrast, on account of her "really immature sense of humour" she has some difficulty in maintaining her composure during the words round whenever rude words appear.[12]

Riley frequently encounters close media and public scrutiny of what she wears on the show, with her wardrobe choices attracting intense social media comment on Twitter and YouTube and even national headlines.[12][13] Working with a wardrobe consultant, she obtains most of the clothes from High Street stores, although some are purchased from a small boutique near her home in Southend. While trying to please everybody with varied choices, she nonetheless takes a phlegmatic approach to the attention, commenting, "even with the same outfit you'll get polar-opposite views, so you can't win. You’ve just got to learn that you can't please everyone all of the time". The number of episodes means wearing some outfits more than once is inevitable—she donates items she no longer requires to charity, some being auctioned by her mother.[12]

8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown

Since it was first broadcast on 2 January 2012, Riley has also performed her Countdown role on the comedy crossover spin-off version, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, alongside comedian Jimmy Carr as host. While Countdown is seen as a straight light entertainment show, in explaining the difference between the two, Riley sees Countdown as the role she is happy for her grandmother to see, while Cats Does Countdown is the more risqué, cheeky, role which she shows to her friends.[11] Some of the running gags used on the show are made by Carr at Riley's expense, aimed at her lack of dancing ability and a supposed frosty relationship with Vorderman, while in return Riley is often given jokes which mock Carr's supposed desires on herself and his tax avoidance. Due to scheduling conflicts with filming for It's Not Rocket Science, Riley was replaced by Claudia Winkleman for two episodes in series nine (broadcast 3 and 10 March 2016).

Strictly Come Dancing

From September 2013, Riley appeared in the eleventh series of the BBC One ballroom dancing programme Strictly Come Dancing with professional dancing partner Pasha Kovalev. She was eliminated in week 6 of the show, on 3 November, after losing out in the dance-off against Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Škorjanec.

According to Riley she lacked a natural talent for performing, so instead sought to frame each dance as that of a character.[7] For the first five weeks, Riley suffered from stage fright, commenting that "As soon as the music would start, I would have a fuzzy brain and it was like an out-of-body experience"; after seeing a cognitive behavioural therapist she was able to control her breathing, and so was only able to truly enjoy the show for what proved to be her final appearance.[14]

The Gadget Show

From 2013 until 2014, Riley co-presented on the Channel 5 programme The Gadget Show with Jason Bradbury.[15] She presented three series of the show and was later replaced by Amy Williams.[16]

It's Not Rocket Science

In 2016, Riley was part of the three-person presenting team for ITV's six-part series, It's Not Rocket Science, billed by the network as an entertainment series celebrating science.[17] Her co-presenters, Ben Miller and Romesh Ranganathan, similarly had a background in science and maths. Explaining the purpose of the show as popularising science and making it seem less intimidating, she said "It's showing that you can't separate the world of science from the world we live in". She added that while her background is in maths, "You can't separate them either. Maths is the language of science."[11] A key part of the show was a weekly challenge where one of the presenters "risked their lives" to prove a scientific theory – in Riley's case she cycled on a tightrope and zip-lined through a ring of fire.[11]

Sky Sports

In August 2016, it was announced that Riley would join Sky Sports to present Friday Night Football alongside her former Countdown co-presenter Jeff Stelling and Fantasy Football Club with Max Rushden and Paul Merson.[18]

She left Friday Night Football in 2017.[19]

Other work

Her mathematics background and love of football has seen Riley assist bookmakers in preparing betting odds for football tournaments; based on her analysis she predicted Chile would win the 2014 FIFA World Cup, despite appreciating fans would see it as an unlikely outcome (Chile were ultimately knocked out in the Round of 16).[7]

Personal life

Riley was married for 16 months to Jamie Gilbert, whom she met while they were both studying at the University of Oxford. After four and a half years together, the couple initially split at the end of 2009,[20] before reconciling. Gilbert then proposed on her 25th birthday on 11 January 2011.[21] The couple married on 11 August 2012.[22] Although they married in a civil ceremony, Gilbert followed the Jewish tradition of stamping on a glass;[23] Riley is Jewish.[24] It was announced in November 2013 that they were separating.[25]

Riley is a keen supporter of Manchester United, like her father (who was originally from Salford, Lancashire).[26][27] In October 2010, Riley presented a programme on the club's television channel, MUTV, featuring a tour of their Trafford Training Centre in Carrington. She has also hosted episodes of An Audience with... on the channel. To mark her 1,000th episode of Countdown (aired on 25 June 2013), United player Ryan Giggs presented her with a signed team shirt, Giggs himself having celebrated his 1,000th game for the club the same year.[27][28] In her appearance as a contestant on the BBC quiz show Celebrity Mastermind, broadcast on 4 January 2012, her specialist subject was a limited (13 year) history of the club; she eventually finished in joint second place.[13][29]

Riley has been dating her former Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev since 2014, and the couple now live together in London.[30] Riley is learning Russian.[31] She revealed in late 2018 that she had become a vegan.[32]

Educational advocacy

In an effort to put her public profile to work for the common good, Riley strives to be an advocate for the so-called "geeky" subjects of mathematics and science, and has visited schools to enthuse pupils on the "joys of applied maths, quantum mechanics and time travel and so on".[7][14] A blog, written by Surrey University academic Julia Percival and hosted by The Guardian, which argued that Riley's looks and figure would work against any aim to increase female participation in the sciences, was described by The Daily Telegraph as unfair and a case of Riley being damned if she did and damned if she didn't.[7][33]

Filmography

Television
Year Title Channel Role Notes
2009–present Countdown Channel 4 Co-presenter With Jeff Stelling (2009–2011) and Nick Hewer (2012–present)
2012–present 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Co-presenter With Jimmy Carr
2013–2014 The Gadget Show Channel 5 Co-presenter With Jason Bradbury
2013 Strictly Come Dancing BBC One Participant 5th celebrity to be eliminated
2014 Memory Slam[34] Watch Presenter
2016 It's Not Rocket Science ITV Co-presenter With Ben Miller and Romesh Ranganathan
2016–2017 Friday Night Football Sky Sports Co-presenter With Jeff Stelling
Fantasy Football Club Co-presenter With Max Rushden and Paul Merson
Guest appearances

She has also made brief appearances in such shows as The IT Crowd, Dispatches, Britain's Brightest and 1001 Things You Should Know.

References

  1. ^ Worsdale, Jim (27 July 2011). "I really love Countdown... trust me, it is not being axed". Echo. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "Names Database". Archived from the original on 20 November 2010. Retrieved 12 March 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ The edition of 11 January 2011 of the show mentioned that that day was her 25th birthday.
  4. ^ Campaign can count on Rachel Riley's support Archived 31 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine Evening Echo, 5 August 2009, accessdate=31 December 2013
  5. ^ She then completed a Master of Arts degree.Riley's nickname at university was, she revealed on crystal maze, the 'angry chav'. "I really love Countdown... trust me, it is not being axed". Southend Echo. 27 July 2011. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "New hosts Jeff Stelling and Rachel Riley Debut on Countdown". The Tart. 16 January 2009. Archived from the original on 3 March 2009. Retrieved 17 January 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Rachel Riley: 'Strictly magnified the fault lines in my marriage' Archived 20 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine Daily Telegraph, 18 June 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  8. ^ Telegraph numeracy campaign: Remove the stigma around maths Archived 28 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine Daily Telegraph, 4 February 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  9. ^ a b c d "Sky host Stelling joins Countdown". BBC News. BBC. 21 November 2008. Archived from the original on 18 December 2008. Retrieved 22 November 2008. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ a b "Essex girl (and fresh Oxford graduate), 22, replaced Carol Vorderman on Countdown". Mail Online. 22 November 2008. Retrieved 22 November 2008. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ a b c d "How Pasha waltzed off with my heart: Countdown's Rachel Riley". Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ a b c d Hardy, Rebecca (29 August 2009). "I didn't count on this abuse: Rachel Riley on why being Carol Vorderman's replacement adds up to a whole lot of grief". Mail Online. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ a b "Strictly Come Dancing 2013: Rachel Riley". Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ a b "Rachel Riley returns to the dancefloor". Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "The Gadget Show | Meet The Gadget Show's new presenter: Rachel Riley! by The Gadget Show". Gadgetshow.channel5.com. Archived from the original on 25 May 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ The Gadget Show’s new presenter is an Olympic champion! Archived 26 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ "It's Not Rocket Science Episode 1". Archived from the original on 25 July 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ Unbelievable Jeff! Rachel Riley joins Sky Sports Archived 9 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ Houghton, Rianne (14 June 2017). "Countdown star Rachel Riley quits Sky Sports job after receiving 'hideous personal abuse'". Digitalspy.com. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ Todd, Ben (1 January 2010). "Countdown's Rachel Riley is single after splitting with boyfriend of four years". Mail Online. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ "Rachel Riley begins the Countdown to her big day after getting engaged to millionaire boyfriend". Mail Online. Associated Newspapers Ltd. 25 January 2011. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ Emily Sheridan (20 August 2012). "Countdown star Rachel Riley weds her university sweetheart". Mail Online. Dailymail.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "JOINED BY HER 'COUNTDOWN' CO-STARS RACHEL RILEY REVEALS WHY TWO IS THE PERFECT NUMBER AS SHE MARRIED JAMIE GILBERT IN A STUNNING SUFFOLK CEREMONY" (PDF). 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 January 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ Rocker, Simon (10 May 2012). "Countdown's yiddishe gal". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  25. ^ Carter, Claire (29 November 2013). "Rachel Riley in split from husband". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 30 November 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ Me a sex symbol? It just doesn’t add up, says Rachel Riley Archived 6 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine Southend Echo, 22 January 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  27. ^ a b Media Monkey (24 June 2013). "Countdown: Rachel Riley red-faced over Ryan Giggs". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 31 August 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ Ryan Giggs to appear on Rachel Riley's 1,000th 'Countdown' episode – TV News – Digital Spy Archived 27 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  29. ^ "Episode 7, 2011/2012, Celebrity Mastermind – BBC One". BBC. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ "Strictly Come Dancing curse won't ruin Rachel Riley relationship says Pasha Kovalev". Evening Standard. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  31. ^ "Countdown star Rachel Riley: I'm learning Russian for Pasha Kovalev – but marriage isn't something I'm aiming for". CelebsNow. 17 May 2015.
  32. ^ 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, season 16, episode 9 (Christmas special)
  33. ^ Julia Percival (28 May 2014). "No George Osborne! Girls will not follow pretty role models into science". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 March 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2017. Studies published in 2013 by Diana E. Betz and Denise Sekaquaptewa looked at the impact of different types of female role models on girls' opinion of their own ability to succeed at a Stem subject. They found that typically feminine Stem role models not only decreased girls' interest in Stem subjects, but also decreased their belief in their own ability to succeed at those subjects – and the likelihood of studying them. ... I can sympathise with these students. Rachel Riley, the mathematician who appears on Countdown, is a great Stem ambassador, but even someone like me, with a first degree and PhD in chemistry, feels like a failure in comparison to her, because she is slim and pretty – and I'm not. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ Memory Slam at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
  35. ^ Celebrity Fifteen to One SERIES 1 – EPISODE 4 Archived 30 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine Radio Times
  36. ^ "Celebrity Squares". Archived from the original on 5 October 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

External links

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