Helen Skelton made an appearance on ITV's Lorraine alongside her pro dance partner Gorka Marquez on today to talk all things Strictly Come Dancing. The Countryfile presenter is one of 15 celebrities in the running to win the 2022 series of the BBC dance contest which kicked off last Saturday (September 24).
Helen and Gorka's first dance saw them wow judges Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas with their American Smooth. Earlier this week it was revealed that Helen and Gorka will dance the cha cha cha to Rain On Me by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande in the second live Strictly show which will also see the first couple eliminated.
Ahead of week two, the pair appeared on Lorraine to chat to stand-in host Christine Lampard about the experience so far. The TV presenter joked how there 'isn't a thermal vest in sight' as she admitted her Strictly appearance was a world away from her usual roles.
READ MORE:
"It's totally different for me but it's good. I think challenging yourself is good and people always say to me you love a challenge," Helen said.
"Jokes aside Gorka is so kind to me and he's like 'just dance you've got this'."
The 39-year-old then spoke about the advice she had received from Gorka's fiancé Gemma Atkinson who met her partner when she appeared on Strictly herself back in 2017.
The actress and pro dancer weren't paired together but sparks flew between them and they went public with their relationship following the Strictly live tour in 2018.
The couple are now engaged and welcomed their first child Mia together back in July 2019.
Christine asked Helen: "Has Gemma managed to pass on any words of advice to you?", to which Helen responded: "Yes she messages me and tells me 'just tell him this and tell him that', and I'm like 'thank God'.
"She's done the show so she gets it doesn't she."
Gorka, 32, then added: "She knows how hard it is as a celebrity doing the show and also she knows how hard I can be sometimes and how difficult I can be being so picky with everything so she's a good person to get tips from."
Reflecting on last week's performance which saw the judges praise her with compliments, Helen admitted that she doesn't want to let her partner Gorka down.
Christine, who appeared on Strictly herself back in 2008, said: "Well the judges were incredible complimentary, really lovely for the first week. That just gives you a bit of confidence for this week doesn't it because you feel like you're going in on a nice fresh start," before asking, "is that where the mind's at Helen?".
Helen responded: "Yeah, I want really nice comments from the judges but ultimately I don't want to let Gorka down because he's the one working hard and as you say it takes over your life, it is all consuming.
"Gorka has put all the effort in so I don't want to let him down and ultimately if I do what I'm meant to do then surely the judges comments will be good."
READ NEXT:
