Former ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ professional Pasha Kovalev was left terrified after being mobbed by moped thieves.
The 39-year-old dancer was leaving Sadler’s Wells Theatre in North London on Thursday (20.06.19) – where he had been to see his former colleagues Katya and Neil Jones perform in ‘Somnium: A Dancer’s Dream’ – when his phone was whipped from him, leaving him "shaking and very upset".
A source said: "Two people drove at him aggressively. They mounted the pavement and his phone was gone in a flash. He was shaking and very upset."
According to The Sun newspaper, Pasha was devastated as his smartphone contains pictures of his partner Rachel Riley – who is expecting their first child.
They continued: "The phone had lots of images on it. Pasha is doing everything he can to get to the bottom of this.
"One second he was outside on the phone, the next moment the moped pair drove at him aggressively and totally disorientated him.
"They mounted the pavement and in a flash his phone was out of his hand.
"He was knocked off balance and very upset.
"As soon as it dawned on him what had happened he told people around him ‘The mobile is unlocked’."
Pasha is reported to have got back inside the theatre to watch back CCTV to see if they caught the thieves on camera.
London’s Metropolitan Police were called to the scene of the crime at 10.10pm, but no arrests have been made as of yet.
A spokesperson for the force confirmed: "It is alleged that two men on mopeds stole a phone from a man as he walked down the road. No arrests have been made, enquiries continue."
Pasha quit the BBC One Latin and ballroom show after "eight fantastic years" earlier this year.
He said: "After scoring 93 perfect tens, reaching four finals and lifting one Glitterball, it’s time for me to find a new challenge and so I’ve decided to make last year – my final season on Strictly.
"I’ve had eight fantastic years, full of wonderful memories, thanks to the incredible partners, professionals and myriad of behind the scenes teams who all work to make Strictly the amazing production that it is."
Pasha Kovalev has phone stolen by moped thieves
