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​Rachel Riley Reveals She Once Performed Private Dance For Stephen Hawking

​Rachel Riley Reveals She Once Performed Private Dance For Stephen Hawking

Would this news seem any weirder if we told you it was soundtracked by Nelly Furtado banger 'Maneater'?

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

Countdown favourite Rachel Riley has revealed that she once performed a private dance for Stephen Hawking, divulging all about her 'weirdest day ever' on an episode of The Chris Ramsey Show on Comedy Central.

Host Chris posed a question for guest Guz Khan, asking him which British hero Rachel had performed a private dance for - offering up a choice between David Beckham, Stephen Hawking and Prince Harry.

After Guz went for Becks, an embarrassed Rachel confessed that, not only was it actually the late Stephen Hawking, but that it was also all Jimmy Carr's fault.

"Weirdest day ever... I was filming The Gadget Show," Riley began.

"So in the morning Ainsley Harriott cooked me three Christmas dinners - in October - and then Jimmy Carr messaged saying he was going out with Stephen Hawking and his family and friends, who are good mates.

"His carers and family are big Strictly fans and I was on Strictly at the time, so I hotfooted it down from Birmingham - I was mid-training - and I took Pasha with me.

"And then you know what Jimmy's like, so he just said, 'Go on, give us a show'."

PA

Rachel explained that she felt obliged - despite being only two days into learning a routine.

"He put the music on. I went to do the dance, and three beats in I accidentally head-butted Pasha," she added, laughing. "We have it on video somewhere."

Rachel said that Stephen Hawking and his entourage of friends and family were absolutely 'pissing themselves' laughing.

In an even more interesting twist, it turns out the private dance was also to Nelly Furtado banger 'Maneater', which conjures up pretty much the best mental image possible - sounds like one hell of a party.

PA

Stephen Hawking died peacefully at his home in Cambridge two weeks ago at the age of 76.

His children, Lucy, Robert and Tim, released a statement, which confirmed their father had died.

The statement read: "We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today.

"He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years. His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humour inspired people across the world.

"He once said: 'It would not be much of a universe if it wasn't home to the people you love.' We will miss him forever."

As Chris said in earlier in the segment, it's good to know that Hawking's love for good times will live on through anecdotes exactly like Rachel's.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Entertainment, Celebrity, Countdown, UK, Stephen Hawking