Helen Skelton has shared praised for the families of the current crop of Strictly Come Dancing stars and their professionals as they head into training for week two of the competition. The Countryfile host made her dancing debut on the BBC One show over the weekend.
On Friday night, viewers discovered that Helen would be spending her Striclty journey with Gorka Marquez and it appeared to be the perfect fit as she told Tess Daly she needed a professional partner who was 'fun, and patient and could understand a northern accent'. And as the Spanish dancer had made Greater Manchester his home alongside Bury-born fiancee Gemma Atkinson and their daughter, Mia, he certainly ticks Helen's boxes.
And the new pairing got off to a beautiful and brilliant start as the 15 celebrities and their dance partners took to 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 aid 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 broke down in tears and tried to escape through 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 come in...' and I went, 'Oh crikey, yeah, there’s 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 defence: "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, smahing 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 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."
READ NEXT:
- Pregnant Jorgie Porter shares gender of unborn baby as she parades bump on beach in bikini
- Charlotte Dawson looks fabulous amid weight loss mission for 30th birthday
- Former ITV Corrie star Brooke Vincent looks gorgeous in slinky black gown hiding stunning designer shoes
- Holly Willoughby shows support for ITV colleague on BBC Strictly after returning to social media following queue backlash
- Molly-Mae Hague announces she's pregnant with first baby with Tommy Fury in moving black and white Insta post
