Countryfile star Helen Skelton has praised the families of the new selection of Strictly Come Dancing celebrities and the professionals as they head into training for week two. The host appeared on the hit BBC One show over the weekend and has been partnered with Gorka Marquez.
The pair are a perfect fit for each other as Helen described her perfect dance partner to host Tess Daly. She said she would like a partner who was 'fun and patient and could understand a Northern accent.'
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Originally from Spain, dancer Gorka now lives in Greater Manchester with his partner Gemma Atkinson and their daughter Mia. He appears the perfect match for Helen, reports Manchester Evening News.
And the new pair had a great start as the celebrities and their professional dance partners entered the ballroom floor for the first time on Saturday. 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.
She received plenty of praise from the foursome but was advised to "own it" by Anton, which appeared to hint at her nerves. And pro dance partner Gorka said her confidence at the moment 'is not great.' And Helen joked: "I kept trying to leave." And she wasn't lying as she revealed on her radio show on Sunday that she broke down in tears and tried to escape through a fire exit before debut.
"I had a little cry. I’m normally cool, calm and collected," she said. "I got on the dance floor and they said, 'When the audience comes in...' and I went, 'Oh crikey, yeah, there are people. I was like, 'There’s a fire door, there, I can get out of it,' and I did.
"And Gorka found me and said, ‘What are you doing?’ I said, ‘Just having a minute.’ I literally ran. It was like when I did Celeb SAS, I tried to escape that." The 39-year-old won't on to say in her defense: "I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but it’s very weird. Personal space? You wave goodbye to that. Boundaries are non-existent.
"You walk in and they go, 'Do you want a fake tan?'" Helen then added with a giggle: "Before you know it you’re naked with a load of people spraying you."
But Helen soon had a change of heart, smashing her performance and appearing to enjoy it as 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 the time this is over."
It came after her ex Richie Myler shared photos of himself and new partner Stephanie Thirkill on his Instagram. The Leeds Rhinos rugby player posted about 'family' on his Instagram as he shared a picture of himself and Stephanie with family including her father, Leeds Rhinos president Andrew Thirkill. He gushed: "Finished this season as a family", and drew a heart.
Richie, 32, also re-posted a selfie shared by Stephanie after his final Leeds Rhinos game of the rugby league season. His girlfriend penned: "Wasn't a win but couldn't be more proud of this one. Grand Final at Old Trafford and a great game for you. Love you so much @richiemyler" and he added: "Love you."
Helen announced back in April that her and Richie's eight-year marriage had ended, four months after she gave birth to their third child. Helen and Richie welcomed their baby daughter Elsie Kate on December 28. They also have two young sons Ernie, seven, and Louis, five.
Meanwhile, ahead of their debut Gorka's fiancé Gemma sent some bolstering words for Helen and to her man. Sharing a photo of the smiling pair on her Instagram she typed: "C’mon!!! Cannot wait to see your beautiful dance guys! Go out there and shine Helen! You’re gonna have the most Amazing time on Strictly!" She added: "Will be rooting for you both @gorka_marquez @helenskelton."
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