Anya Garnis

Anya describes herself as a tough cookie with a sense of humour which will stand her in good stead for her first series of Strictly.

She thinks the biggest challenge for her celebrity partner will be to “cope with the pressure but I will be there every step of the way.” Partner Patrick should be reassured!

Anya’s favourite dances are the Rumba as “it’s passionate, romantic and sensual” and the Tango because “it’s the complete opposite to Rumba; intense, dark, and passionate.”

Born in Russia, as a child Anya initially attended gymnastics lessons but after quickly discovering she wasn’t very good, she started ballroom dancing instead! Struggling to find a male partner for the first two years she danced with another girl.

Not only a tough cookie, but a clever cookie, Anya kept dancing through studies for her law degree in Moscow and whilst working at a law firm after she graduated. Then in 2001 she took a leap, moving to the United States with her professional partner Pasha Kovalev, taking up dancing professionally.

Together, they appeared on the seventh season of the US version of Strictly, Dancing with the Stars. Anya was also a Principal Performer in dance stage show Burn the Floor.

From 2002-2006 Anya was a finalist in the U.S Open Ballroom and a finalist in 2007’s So You Think You Can Dance.

In 2010 Anya played the character Destiny in musical Rock of Ages and credits acting as one of her key interests.

She has a puppy at home in New York that misses dearly while in the UK.

If Anya could have a super power, she’d like to be in two places at once.

Her favorite film is The Notebook and her favorite food is chocolate.