It's been non-stop for Helen Skelton following her time on Strictly Come Dancing and with Christmas done and dusted for another year, all her focus went on her baby girl as she celebrated her first birthday.
The 39-year-old, who also shares two sons - Ernie and Louis - with ex-husband Richie Myler, threw a cute family party for little Elsie Kate on Wednesday (December 28) and took to Instagram to give her followers a rare glimpse inside the milestone moment.
In the photo, Helen cut a casual figure in a grey long-sleeved top and jeans as she hosted the intimate bash. The Countryfile host was smiling as she held onto the birthday girl with a bunch of birthday balloons visible in the background featuring a golden '1' and pink love hearts.
READ MORE: Gorka Marquez issues three-word response as he finally addresses BBC Strictly quit claims
The dining room table appeared to be the centre of the action with a classic Colin the Caterpillar cake visible with a '1' candle stuck in it. Alongside the sweet snap, former Blue Peter presenter Helen gushed: "One year of you. [heart emoji] Here's to the houses that are never quiet or tidy. #firstbirthday #grateful."
Helen's Strictly dance partner Gorka Marquez was quick to respond, gleefully writing: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!" His fiancee Gemma Atkinson also replied: "Ahhh Happy Birthday." Kaye Adams, who starred with Helen on the BBC dance show, shared: " Same birthday! Elsie and I are soul sisters!!"
More of Helen's dancing co-stars also took to the comments. Kym Marsh commented: " Ahhh hope she had the best day babe." Fleur East posted: "Ahhhh it’s her bday! Happy birthday little one!!!" Ellie Taylor wrote: "Gorgeous girls! Happy birthday little Elsie!!!"
And fans were also quick to send birthday wishes as well as heap praise on Helen. @brenners0423 said: "Happy 1st birthday to your birthday little girl. You are such a inspiration. Your kids should be proud. Your cabaret dance will go down in Strictly history as a remarkable and memorable performance. Mum of 3 boys."
@laura_marti_ replied: "Happy 1st birthday gorgeous Elsie. You are one amazing lady and mother @helenskelton your gorgeous children are very lucky to have you." @barbara8049 posted: "Happy birthday to your sweetheart and your an amazing mama." @rosiemeech added: "Happy birthday, sweetheart. You have a wonderful Mummy."
Helen also shared another glimpse inside the madness of Elsie’s birthday party with a photo posted to her Instagram Story which showed children dressed up in costumes. Alongside the photo, Helen typed: "A wolf in a tantrum. Spidergirl needing balloons and lost cricket gloves."
But the mum-of-three added: "All the chaos. All the love baby girl," followed by red heart emoji. And she also took time to poke fun at her culinary skills with a snap of what looked like a very burnt pizza lying on the ground outside. "Safe to say party food was up to the usual standard chez Skelton," she commented.
A third snap also showed one-year-old Elsie cuddled up to a relative after appearing to get stuck into the previously mentioned chocolate birthday cake, as she had icing smothered around her mouth.
It comes after Helen opened up about her 'tough' year. Ahead of taking to the ballroom for the final time earlier this month, Helen and Gorka, 32, made an emotional appearance on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two. T hings got teary for the pair when former Blue Peter host Helen was surprised with a video message from her family, including her mum and dad and two sons.
Referencing Helen's split from ex-husband Richie earlier this year, her friend Kim said: "This year's been a tough one but to see Helen happy makes us all happy. She's an inspiration." Her mum Janet added: "I think the thing for us is how she's progressed. And we can see a different Helen now."
The compilation of messages left both Helen and Gorka in tears and when Helen was asked how it would feel to win this year's show, she tearfully admitted: "We would love to lift that trophy but I feel like we've already won it. We've had such an adventure, and I've said it before, you're [Gorka] a credit to the show and a credit to your family. We've had the highs, the lows and everything in between and this is just a reminder for us to feel the fear and do it anyway."
READ NEXT:
- Carol Vorderman shares big plans for 2023 amid stalker battle as she tells fans how to 'love life'
- Vicky Pattison praised as she shows how she spent Christmas Eve with fiancé Ercan before welcoming new member of family
- Good Morning Britain's Ben Shephard has fans swooning over 'brave' stripped-off video
- Holly Willoughby apologises to Phillip Schofield after on-air This Morning row over horse drama at Ascot
