Strictly Come Dancing star Pasha Kovalev has revealed he chased Caroline Flack to get his glitterball back after she took the coveted trophy from his bag.
The professional dancer, 41, took home the top prize alongside the late star when they competed together on the BBC ballroom show back in 2014.
And during an appearance on ITV’s This Morning on Friday, the Russian star revealed that he was left thinking his trophy had been stolen during the show’s wrap party.
Glitterball: Strictly Come Dancing star Pasha Kovalev has revealed he chased Caroline Flack to get his glitterball back after she took the coveted trophy from his bag. Pictured in 2014
Speaking while promoting his new dance show Here Come The Boys alongside Aljaž Škorjanec, he took time out to remember the good times with the late Love Island host, who took her life in February 2020.
He said: ‘We had a great time together on Strictly, and obviously you just remember the best things. She was absolutely bubbly, absolutely fantastic to be around.
‘We found our chemistry and our dancing together. That actually took us to the very top to getting that glitterball.
‘But I remember, she stole my glitterball! At the party after the final, I looked at my bag and it was gone. I thought someone stole it. I just got it!’
Winner: The professional dancer, 41, took home the top prize alongside the late star when they competed together on the BBC ballroom show back in 2014
On the promotional trail: He shared the memory while appearing on ITV’s This Morning to promote his new dance show Here Come The Boys alongside Aljaž Škorjanec
However, things turned to be far more innocent, as Pasha explained: ‘Actually, she took both, thinking they were hers. I had to go and chase her to grab it off her!’
This Morning host Dermot O’Leary then chimed in to speak of his old pal’s time on the hit show, revealing that she was particularly overjoyed to be a part of it.
He said: ‘I’d known her for many years. We started out together and we had the same agent for a very long time. And I never, ever saw her happier than when she was doing that show. It was just her happy place.’
Pasha, who is married to Rachel Riley, added: ‘I think she got a lot of confidence at that time and that boost obviously carried her through.’
Friends: This Morning hosts Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond also remembered Caroline
Good sport: Alison revealed that Caroline was rooting for her when they competed against one another during 2014’s series of Strictly Come Dancing
And This Morning co-host Alison Hammond also shared her own memories of Caroline, as she and Aljaž danced together on the show in the same year.
She said: ‘I never forget when me and Aljaž went up against you and Caroline, and Caroline was like, “I want you to get through, Alison.” I’ll never forget it. It was horrible, because we just wanted each other to go through.’
Caroline, 40, tragically took her own life at her London home on February 15, 2020 – one day after learning the CPS would be pursuing a case of assault against her following a row with boyfriend Lewis Burton at her home in December.
Her funeral took place on March 10 at Greenacres at Colney, near Norwich, a ceremonial park set in a 16-acre forest.
Overjoyed: Dermot chimed in to speak of his old pal’s time on the hit show, revealing that she was particularly overjoyed to be a part of it. Pictured together in 2015
The star’s mother Christine revealed details of the private funeral held for the star last year.
She told The Eastern Daily Press: ‘There were lots of memories, smiles but mostly tears as we all remembered Carrie and the joy she had brought to all of our lives.
‘All the family would like to say thank you so much to all Carrie’s friends who travelled from all over the world to be there that day and who appreciated why we wanted to bring her back home to Norfolk.
‘Friends included all the old pals she had either worked alongside or presented with on Fash FC, I’m A Celebrity, Xtra Factor, Love Island, friends old and new from the world of Strictly, the Bake Off and many many more.’
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Tragic end: Caroline, 40, tragically took her own life at her London home on February 15, 2020