East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

After more than 25 years doing the same job, a person would be forgiven for admitting it was becoming a little bit routine. But if it’s a dance routine you’re talking about and you’re Pasha Kovalev from BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing, then you still get that buzz every time you put on that slashed-to-the-waist sequinned shirt and tight, tight trousers and go out on stage.
“It becomes a routine with any job you do, of course,“ says Siberian-born Pasha, “but once you come out and the audience are sitting there clapping, it boosts you with energy every single time.“
Pasha and his Strictly partner Katya Virshilas are bringing their show The Stars of Strictly Come Dancing to the Harlow Playhouse, where they will be joined by young dancers from The Village School of Dance & Drama, on a tour that sees the pair play 64 shows on an almost nightly basis.
“We’ve dedicated this tour to Hollywood,“ says Pasha, 33. “There are all your favourite songs from all the movies and musicals with all the dance styles that you’re used to seeing on Strictly.“
Any audience participation? “Oh yes,“ Pasha laughs. “We like to talk to people because on Strictly we’re always facing the camera and never get the chance to actually meet people who enjoy the show. So on the tour we have a Q&A session and we also bring a few lucky ones – or brave ones – on stage to experience Strictly for themselves.“
There are sure to be plenty of volunteers in Essex when Pasha and Katya perform, among others, the Viennese waltz, the rumba, the foxtrot and, Pasha’s favourite, the paso doble.
“I think every dance tells a story and you have to be a little bit of an actor,“ Pasha says, “and showcase the dance from a different perspective. In order to portray the character you have to dissolve yourself into what the story’s about.“
This is something that Pasha has strived to teach his celebrity partners on Strictly Come Dancing – and with considerable success. In his only two seasons as one of the show’s professional dancers, he has come runner-up twice – with Waterloo Road star Chelsee Healey in 2011 and Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh last year.
Pasha, whose real name is Pavel, started dancing when he was just eight years old, when his mum took him to one of the biggest ballroom dancing competitions in his area and he soon realised he couldn’t live without it. He moved to the US in 2001, when he turned professional, and started touring the US, Canada and UK and since then has featured in dance productions on Broadway and the West End, before joining the lineup on Strictly Come Dancing in 2011.
And what of all the costume changes he and Katya will need to do on the night? “Sometimes it is quite fast, just one or two minutes,“ Pasha laughs. “You get quite good at it, it depends on the costume. People think it’s easier for me than Katya but I think it’s actually easier to get in and out of a tiny dress than it is to put on a whole new pair of tight trousers, a shirt and a jacket!  For the paso doble, I’ve got this really complicated costume, the trousers have all these loops and hooks..."“ I think he says something more but I’m distracted by thoughts of those tight trousers – it’s a hazard with us Strictly fans.

Harlow Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Harlow, Essex, Sunday, April 27. Details: 01279 431945, playhouseharlow.com