Rachel Riley's mum had coronavirus as she opens up on struggles in lockdown

Rachel Riley has told how she thinks her mum had coronavirus in the ‘early stages’ as she opens up about the struggles of being a new mum in lockdown.

The Countdown star welcomed daughter Maven with her Strictly star husband Pasha Kovalev back in December and has since been adjusting to parenthood in quarantine, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 34-year-old told Metro.co.uk that despite ‘secretly enjoying’ some aspects of lockdown she is finding it hard not seeing her mum, who recently showed symptoms of Covid-19.

‘We are secretly enjoying some of it now and having a new baby, it’s forcing me and Pasha to have some time off where we wouldn’t have been with the baby the whole time,’ she began.

‘So it has some upsides and some bad sides as I can’t see my mum, and my dad has got a couple of health conditions.’

She continued: ‘We have seen my mum once in the park from a distance, but you can’t change things because it is a health matter. We think my mum had coronavirus in the early stages as well, but fingers crossed we will be able to see her soon and she can give the baby a squish.’

Rachel went on to add that because of government guidelines, Pasha’s mum is also stuck in the UK with the couple because the Russian border has closed.

‘Pasha’s mum is here so we have been putting on a nature documentary every night, so we can all understand as it’s got no language,’ she laughed.

The mum-of-one has also been passing the time with daily family walks with Pasha and Maven, and for those struggling during these uncertain times, Rachel added: ‘We can’t be dwelling on what we’re missing or what could have been. Just enjoy the aspects that you’ve got, and if you’re fortunate to spend the time with family, try and see the positive side.’

And speaking of passing the time, Rachel has recently teamed up with Sky TV to launch the National General Knowledge Test, which celebrates the arrival of Sky’s new factual channels; Sky Documentaries, Sky HISTORY and Sky Nature.

Talking about the quiz, Rachel explained: ‘Sky is launching three new channels, and as a celebration of that we are having a quiz and everyone has fallen in love with quizzes again while in lockdown.

‘So I have been able to help compile them with Sky, and it’s across the board subjects for all age ranges so it’ll be a bit of fun.’

Joining the host on the quiz are a few famous faces you may recognise including the likes of Patrick Aryee, Kelly Cates, Jamie Carragher, Joan Bakewell, Kay Burley and Dynamo, who have all helped to review questions for the test in their areas of expertise, which spans science, the natural world, sport, art, current affairs, entertainment and pop culture.

National General Knowledge Test will be available free to Sky customers from 27 May.

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