Rachel Riley is pregnant with her first child with Pasha Kovalev

Countdown presenter Rachel Riley revealed that she was expecting a baby in the most adorable way…

Rachel took to Twitter and Instagram to share the happy news that she and her partner, professional dancer Pasha Kovalev, are expecting their first child together. The presenter posted a picture of herself on the Countdown set, cradling her tiny baby bump as she posed by the famous numbers and letters board.

She captioned the post: ‘Pash and I have a conundrum for you…you have till December to work it out! We’re over the moon excited.’

But did you solve the conundrum? The letters on the board spelled out RTINYMATE (as in, our tiny mate – get it?). Plenty of Rachel’s followers did…

‘Maternity!!!’ one elated fan responded. ‘I NEVER normally get these!!! Congratulations!’

And the mathematician’s followers were understandably impressed by the effort she’d put into her big announcement.

‘This is the coolest pregnancy announcement ever,’ wrote one. 'Excellent way to announce. Congratulations!’ another agreed.

Rachel and Pasha’s friends, including TV stars Richard Arnold, Stacey Dooley and Oti Mabuse were also quick to congratulate the couple. Sports presenter Helen Skelton wrote: ‘Amazing’ while Angela Scanlon added: ‘AMAZING congratulations xxx’.

And Pointless presenter Richard Osman responded with an anagram of his own, tweeting: ‘GANCINUORTSLAO!!!!!’

Confused? Don’t worry – another Twitter user pointed out that Richard had actually made a bit of a faux pas, writing: ‘Definitely missed out a letter Richard....congratulations has 15 and your anagram has 14 #CanIComeOnPointlessNow’. Oops.

Rachel met Pasha when they were partnered on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013. The pair confirmed their romance in 2014, shortly after Rachel ended her marriage to University sweetheart James Gilbert.

Her pregnancy announcement might come as a bit of a surprise to some, because just last year she told the Mail on Sunday Event magazine that getting pregnant wasn’t on her radar. ‘All my friends are getting pregnant at the moment,’ she revealed. ‘That’s good for them, but it’s currently not on my radar.’

She added: ‘I don’t see myself with or without children – whatever will be, will be.’