Fans of Strictly Come Dancing don’t have to wait for the next series to get their ballroom fix. Two of the professional dancers, Pasha Kovalev and Katya Virshilas have teamed up to create their own show and will be twirling into Kent this week. They spoke to Kathryn Tye about the treats in store.

If you are among the millions who tuned in to enjoy the glitz and glamour of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing every week, then you are sure to love the new show from Pasha Kovalev and Katya Virshilas.

The duo were first brought together as a professional pair on Strictly in 2011, and only worked together for one series before Katya left to pursue other projects, but their partnership continued off screen.

Katya, 29, said: “We instantly really got along and became great friends. I call him my ‘big brother’.”

Pasha, 33, added: “As soon as we started dancing together, we just clicked. We had similar ideas about what we liked, and started wondering whether we could put them together in our own show. We went on tour last year and it was a lot of fun.”

It also proved a huge hit with fans, so now they are back with a second production, based around a theme they both love - Hollywood.

The pair will be reinterpreting some of their favourite dance scenes from classic films such as Top Hat and Singin’ In The Rain and contemporary movies such as Grease and Dirty Dancing.

Pasha said: “Hollywood never gets old. The only problem was deciding what songs we wanted to use, as there are so many to choose from.”

Katya was able to draw upon her own first-hand experience of Hollywood for inspiration, as she trained superstars Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez for the 2003 movie Shall We Dance?, in which she also appeared, and also danced a tango with heartthrob Antonio Banderas in 2006 film Take The Lead.

She said: “I remember telling J Lo to put her bottom down when she was dancing! Luckily as I was so young, I didn’t really realise what I was doing, and wasn’t too star struck. They were also really lovely which made it easy. I think the bigger the star, the smaller the ego.”

Pasha joined Strictly two years ago after attracting the producers’ attention with his performance in West End dance show Burn The Floor, and has proved a formidable competitor, taking his partner to the final in both series, most recently with Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh.

He said: “I think two out of two is quite a good record, though I definitely hope to lift that trophy in the future! ”

Both Pasha and Katya admit they will be nervous when taking to the stage for their new show, which in addition to an evening of dazzling dance, also features a question and answer session.

He said: “We have no idea what people will ask us. It always varies, sometimes about Strictly, but often it is more personal. I get asked whether I am single quite a lot - and also get the odd marriage proposal!”

Pasha is indeed single, although Katya is newly married to Danish dance champion Klaus Kongsdal.

The pair’s decision to hold a question and answer session was prompted by their desire to make the evening special for fans.

Katya said: “We always go out into the lobby after the show to meet the fans and sign autographs and pose for photos. On Strictly it was always a small studio audience, so it is really fun to actually meet the members of the public who watch us.”

They also get younger fans involved by inviting dance schools in every area to join them on stage. Pupils from Chatham’s Dance Alley and the Catherine Bellinger School of Dance in Tunbridge Wells will be performing on the Kent dates.

Pasha added: “The pupils are always amazing, and being on stage with them is definitely one of the highlights of the show for us.”

See Pasha and Katya at the Central Theatre in Chatham on Wednesday, March 27. Tickets from £18. Call 01634 338338. They will also be at the Assembly Hall in Tunbridge Wells on Saturday, May 4. Tickets £22.50. Call 01892 530613.