Helen Skelton couldn't help but giggle as she mucked about with Gorka Marquez behind the scenes at S trictly Come Dancing. Fans of the hit BBC One show only discovered their partnership for the 2022 series on Friday before the competition kicked off with week one on Saturday night.
The new couple were among the 15 famous faces and professional partners to start their Strictly journey as the show burst back onto screens for its 20th series.
And Helen and Gorka got off to a beautiful and brilliant start as their debut performance, an American Smooth to Aretha Franklin's You Send Me, saw them awarded a score of 26 by the judges - Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke.
But it was a stark contrast to what could have happened as she revealed on her BBC Radio 5 Live show on Sunday that she broke down in tears and tried to escape through the fire exit before her debut. The Countryfile host made the admission after she joked to Claudia Winkleman after her performance: "I kept trying to leave."
However, it did appear she had some fun if Gorka's latest social media post is anything to go by. " Running into week two like…" he captioned a video posted to his thousands of followers. It showed the Spanish dancer pulling his new dance partner around in a trolley.
Helen, 39, could be seen laughing as Gorka pulled her back and forth before he zoomed off rather quickly leaving Helen to bend forward and grab onto the sides of the square box on wheels. Continuing his post, Gorka asked: " Any guesses for our next dance?"
Fans quickly flocked to the comments section trying to guess the dance they'll be performing in week two but also how pleased they were to see Helen enjoying herself. @turnersarahc commented: "Glad she has you as her dance partner to keep her smiling." @kellyshaw2011 wrote: "Awww.. she deserves to smile."
@caddickbev posted: "I reckon it's the salsa too good luck guys so far so good keep dancing." @siddle_julie shared: "Viennese waltz. He’s getting her spinning." @jliddell58 echoed: "Either the quick step or vienne waltz, as one has speed and the other is fast spinning."
On Monday, Gorka shared a glimpse inside rehearsals as they wrapped up day one working on their new routine. "Day one, week two finito," the dancer, who lives in Greater Manchester, said as Helen chipped in: "This is a real gear change this dance." As he asked how her brain is, Helen replied: "On fire..."
"I don't even know my own name anymore," she added as Gorka replied with a laugh: "It's Helen!" But she said: "I thought it wasn't. I thought it was someone who's sexy and sassy," suggesting they have a more energetic number this week. "We cannot tell you which dance we are doing yet but it's going to be fun" Gorka, 34, added.
Mum-of-three Helen laughed as he spoke and when he quizzed her, she said she appreciated the confidence he has in her. After smashing her performance and appearing to enjoy it on Saturday, she gushed over her dance partner on Instagram. Taking to Instagram on Sunday afternoon, Helen shared a stunning photo of her and Gorka in action in the Strictly ballroom.
"Credit where it’s due … this one @gorka_marquez deserves kudos for not only getting me around the dance floor…. But on it in the first place," the mum-of-three typed. "Grateful Mr M. You’re a master at your craft and a belter of a pal.." She then added: "To all the families holding down the fort behind the scenes…. We are grateful. Pretty sure I will owe my parents Christmas in the Caribbean by time this is over."
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