Countryfile presenter Helen Skelton has been called an "inspiration" after her 'no rules' couple's choice Cabaret-style dance routine for musicals week and the quarter final saw her receiving a standing ovation in the studio as well as applause from viewers who said she smashed it "out of the park".
The dance, which was performed to Mein Herr from the musical Cabaret, saw Helen, 39, take on a brand new persona, oozing sass and flare as she confidently stepped, kicked and jumped impressively around the studio with grace, led by her Spanish professional dance partner, Gorka Marquez. After finishing the dance, Gorka can be heard screaming "Yes!" as her fellow class of '22 stood on tables and whooped.
And it wasn't just her friends who were impressed. Head judge Shirley Ballas was the first to comment, saying: "I mean, am I looking at a mum of three? Am I looking at a young lady that has grown from a timid, shy girl, from week one to this sensual performance, I've got goosebumps all over me!"
She continued: "Absolutely off the charts in every way. From technique to coordination to how you danced with your partner. It was a memory I will treasure forever."
Former pro and now judge Anton Du Beke added: "I got a little emotional because I enjoyed it so much and I was like 'Go on!', and the number built and built and you got more and more confident and you're going 'Yes, go on, have some of that', and it was... ooooh yes!" before adding: "It makes me ecstatic to see you dance."
And while Craig Revel Horwood's initial comments of suggesting she used her centre more were met with a barrage of boos, he changed his tune and applauded her: "You did one of the most brilliant jobs with [Bob] Fosse's stuff that I have seen."
Achieving a whopping 39 points and taking joint top place on the leaderboard with Will Mellor and Nancy Xu, Helen - who earlier this year split from her husband Richie Myler - said of receiving those scores and comments: "That means the world."
Soon after, viewers took to Twitter to voice their wonder and awe at the mum-of-three, who has been dubbed as an "inspiration" after watching her Strictly journey.
One user, @nickoverheard said:" Helen gave an absolute masterclass is how to say SCREW YOU whilst keeping things classy - I’m in complete awe #strictly", while @SueWR24 said: "Helen was absolutely amazing. It deserved 40. What also needs acknowledgment is how fabulous @gorkamarquez1 is. He has showcased Helen brilliantly. #Strictly."
Lisalisey87 added: "@HelenSkelton is such an inspiration #strictly She's proof that you can go through hard times and pick yourself back up again. Smashed that dance!!!". Meanwhile, @Jengi_uk also wrote: "Had to go back and watch Helen and Gorka's dance again - that will go down in #Strictly history. #StrictlyComeDancing" @kingsmithy7 penned: "Helen Skelton, take a bow. Not many times I'm left speechless by a dance, but that did it #strictly."
Before she took to the floor, she revealed in the VT of the reason she did Strictly - to put a smile back on her face. The actress and presenter said: "I did Strictly this year because sometimes you just need to jump on the opportunity and the chance to put a big smile on your face." Her mum was then seen saying: "It makes me very happy to see her dance because I can see, as the weeks have gone on, she's become more and more confident."
When viewers saw Gorka pose the question of whether, in week one, she could have seen herself doing this very dance in rehearsals, Helen quipped: "I could not have done this week 1. I could not have done it week two or three even. It's kind of different. It's a bit quirky, it's not me at all."
He claimed that no-one would expect her to come out and do this dance, to which she said: "For me, it's a chance to be powerful and sassy and all of that, so I think it's a good thing for me to explore.
"Strictly has helped me remember who I am and what I'm about. I have got lots to be thankful for and I know what I can offer. And what's great for me is this dance is all about that. It's about power."
This message comes after Helen from Carlisle went through a difficult time earlier this year after news came out that her estranged rugby star husband was expecting a baby with his new partner just six months after the couple announced their separation.
Strictly Come Dancing: The Results airs on BBC One at 5.40pm on Saturday, December 3.
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