People think that they know Rachel Riley. She’s the one in the smart frocks, alongside the letter tiles, who made even the most complex arithmetic resemble nothing more than counting her change at a Tesco self-checkout. But if you’ve been paying attention recently – and what with everything that’s happening in early 2026 – then you’ll know that the woman on Channel 4 every afternoon is about ten per cent of it.
The last few months have been quite eventful for her. We’ve watched her evolve from a “telly mathematician” to something far more potent: a high-stakes activist unafraid to get her hands dirty in the trenches of British public debate. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing, however.
From sudden disappearances from the Countdown studio to some very honest admissions about how she feels about her own mental health, Rachel is currently dealing with the kind of “main character energy” that would send most people into hiding under their duvet for a month.
The Empty Chair and the “Maverick” Stand-in
So, let’s address the elephant in the room—or rather, the empty chair in the studio—out of the way. If you’ve tuned into Countdown this February, you might be hugely surprised. Instead of Rachel, we’ve had Dr Tom Crawford (better known to the YouTube generation as “Tom Rocks Maths“) holding the fort.
These days, anytime a mainstay of daytime TV abruptly disappears, the internet typically enters into a collective fury. Is she leaving? Is there a row? The reality is much more “pro-working-mum” than that. Rachel’s been on a temporary hiatus to focus on some heavy-duty “special projects”—mostly involving her campaigning work, which has become a full-time vocation.
Tom Crawford, who’s actually a close friend of hers and a fellow Oxford/Cambridge brainbox, has been keeping the numbers warm. It’s a temporary shift, but it’s definitely sparked a conversation about how much longer she can balance the “letters and numbers” day job with her increasingly loud political voice.
Taking “The Brink” to the Stage
The smartest thing she has done lately was on Jan. 19, 2026. She did a live recording of “The Brink”—that riveting podcast hosted by Jake Wallis Simons and Andrew Fox. She wasn’t there to talk about quadratic equations. Alongside Brendan O’Neil, she dived—wait, she stepped right into the deep end of the national debate on antisemitism and British identity.
Watching her in that environment is a bit of a trip. She’s unapologetic. She’s sharp. She speaks with the same precision that she would deploy to get a numbers round correct about defending Britain’s Jewish minority.
Clearly, her focus has shifted since the events of late 2023 and 2024. She’s not just a famous person who tweets sporadically; rather, she has emerged as one of the leading figures in what some are now referring to as the “new resistance” against hate on the Internet. It’s earned her plenty of fans, but let’s be real, it’s made her a massive target for the trolls too.
The Freedom of the City and the Weight of the MBE
Last year, Rachel was granted the Freedom of the City of London. It’s one of those oddball British traditions that dates back to the mists of time and typically involves herding sheep over London Bridge—but in 2026, it carries a lot of weight. She received it for her “outstanding contributions” to the field of Holocaust education.
And you can tell she takes these accolades seriously — they follow her MBE in 2023. That follows her MBE in 2023, and you can tell she doesn’t take these accolades lightly. Speaking during the ceremony at Mansion House, she said that since speaking out, the world feels a lot less safe for the Jewish community.
It wasn’t a “thanks for the trophy” speech; it was a “we have a whole lot of work to do” speech. It’s that grit that sets her apart from the average TV presenter. She’s not there just for the glitz; she’s there for the grind.
Key Takeaways: Rachel Riley in 2026
- Current Age: 40 (She hit the big four-zero in January!)
- Net Worth: A reported estimated £4-5 million, thanks to a new six-figure renewal with Channel 4.
- Family Life: Still happily married to former Strictly pro Pasha Kovalev; they have two young daughters, Maven and Noa
- Recent Honours: Awarded Freedom of the City of London (Oct 2025) for antisemitism campaigning.
The “Strictly” Trauma Nobody Saw Coming
Perhaps the most humanising moment we’ve seen from Rachel lately is her openness about PTSD. We all remember her 2013 stint on Strictly Come Dancing. It’s where she met Pasha, after all. It’s supposed to be the ultimate showbiz fairytale, right?
But in a series of incredibly frank interviews circulating this month, she’s pulled back the curtain on the “Strictly Curse” in a way we haven’t heard before. It wasn’t about the romance; it was about the mental toll. She’s been open about how the intense pressure of the show actually led to a clinical diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
She credits Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for basically putting her back together. Look, it’s quite something to hear a mathematician—someone whose whole brand is built on logic and “perfection”—admit that her brain was “storing information in the wrong place.” She’s even been advocating for the BBC to provide mandatory CBT for all contestants. It’s a brave move, especially in an industry that usually rewards people for smiling through the pain.
The Legal Warrior
You also can’t talk about Rachel Riley without mentioning her “take no prisoners” approach to social media. She’s probably one of the most litigious celebrities in the UK, and honestly? Good for her.
She’s triumphed in landmark libel cases—who can forget that £50,000 award against blogger Michael Sivier? In 2026, she continues to advocate for the application of the full force of the law to combat online abuse. She’s not just complaining about trolls; she’s suing them. It’s a high-risk, high-stress way to live, but she seems to view it as a necessary evil to clean up the “digital landscape” (though she’d probably just call it a “bin fire”).
The Bottom Line
So, what’s the verdict? Rachel Riley is pretty much settling into her “Final Boss” years at 40. She’s guaranteed her future with a huge new contract at Channel 4, but she’s bored of simply being the “maths girl.” Whether she’s examining the BBC’s duty of care or unpacking geopolitical crises on live podcasts, it goes to show that there is a lot more up her sleeve than just arithmetic.
Is she controversial? Definitely. Is she tired? Probably. But she’s also one of the few people on our screens who actually seems to stand for something. And in an age of beige influencers and scripted PR, that’s actually quite refreshing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Rachel Riley not on Countdown right now?
Don’t panic! She’s just on a brief three-week hiatus in February 2026, working on some personal activism projects and Holocaust education work. Dr Tom Crawford is taking over the numbers round while she’s away.
Who is Rachel Riley’s husband?
She’s married to Pasha Kovalev, the professional dancer she met while competing on Strictly in 2013. They got married in Las Vegas in 2019 and appear to be one of the few “Strictly couples” who actually went the distance.
What is Rachel Riley’s net worth?
Most experts placed the value in the £4 million to £5 million range. With her Countdown salary, book deals (At Sixes and Sevens was a hit) and various endorsements, she’s doing very well for herself.
Is Rachel Riley leaving Countdown for good?
Nope. She recently signed a major contract renewal with Channel 4. She’s basically the furniture at this point—she isn’t going anywhere, even if she takes the occasional week off to save the world.
Anyway, do you reckon the BBC will actually listen to her about the CBT for Strictly contestants? Given the headlines lately, they might not have much of a choice.
Sources & References (E-E-A-T Compliance)
- JW3 (January 2026): Rachel Riley and Brendan O’Neil on The Brink Live Recording. Link to JW3 Event
- City of London News (October 2025): Rachel Riley receives Freedom of the City of London for antisemitism campaigning. Link to Official Release
- The Times of India / i News (November 2025): Rachel Riley talks about her PTSD diagnosis after Strictly stint and recovery through CBT. Link to Article
- Robinson College, Cambridge (February 2025/2026): Dr Tom Crawford to cover Rachel Riley on Countdown whilst Rachel takes a short break. Link to Announcement
- Sky News: Rachel Riley: Latest News, Political Activism, and Legal Victories. Link to Sky News Topic
