PASHA Kovalev shot to fame on hit TV show Strictly Come Dancing. Now he brings fellow TV dance star Katya Virshilas and their new live show to Clacton.

And if you love watching the BBC1 sequin fest, and always dreamed of taking part, Pasha is offering audience members a special opportunity.

That’s because during his show there will be the chance to get up on stage and take part in a mini Strictly competition. Three couples will be taught to master some impressive moves, before the rest of the audience judges which pair is best.

“The audience may be surprised they have a talent for dancing themselves,” says Pasha.

“People always underestimate their own abilities.”

Pasha, who started dancing when he was eight, shows off his skills at the West Cliff Theatre on April 26. He has choreographed the routines and chosen the music with dance partner Katya.

“We will also have a question and answer session,” says Pasha. “We try to make it a bit more comfortable so people who watch Strictly can come and find out a bit more about us. During the show we also have dance schools from the local area joining us, which is really exciting. Everywhere we go, we see new talent.”

For Pasha, dancing has always been his passion.

“I joined for the girls,” he laughs. “My mum took me to a dance competition and I saw lots of girls dancing around. I did lots of different sports at that time, like football and hockey, but one by one they faded away and dancing stayed.”

Pasha went on to appear on American TV show So You Think You Can Dance, before joining popular BBC series Strictly, where he reached the final two years running.

He says: “It’s lots of fun. I never thought I would end up on television. I was paired with Katya by the producers and it worked out really well.

“We found out we have similar ideas on dancing and shows, so we decided to do a UK tour.”

The success of the 2012 show convinced them to tour again.

Pasha and Katya,
West Cliff Theatre, April 26, 7.30pm.
Tickets: £20, concs £18, children under-14 £14.
 01255 433344