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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zara Woodcock

Gemma Atkinson responds after fiancé Gorka Marquez's moving Helen Skelton praise

Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Marquez's fiancée Gemma Atkinson has weighed in after the professional shocked viewers with his moving speech about partner Helen Skelton 's 'difficult week.'

Helen and her professional dance partner Gorka impressed with their Paso Doble to Tamacun by Rodrigo y Gabriela on Saturday night.

While the judges gave the pair 29 points out of 40, it was Gorka's verdict that stole the show as he seized the opportunity to heap praise on Helen.

Following their performance, Gorka took a moment to pay tribute to the Countryfile presenter, calling her an 'amazing woman' and 'inspirational'.

"Can I just say something? I know you've been having a difficult time, and I know you've been made to feel like you're not beautiful or good enough or anything. But if you don't believe in yourself," he said in chat with Claudia Winkleman after their dance.

"I believe in you. Everybody here believes in you, your family believes in you. It doesn't matter how many times I say it or the judges say it, or anyone says it, it's only you that can make the change and the one who believes in you."

Gorka praised his dance partner this weekend (Instagram)
His fiancée agreed with his sentiment (Instagram)

He added: "You are an amazing woman, very inspirational, an amazing mum and an incredible dancer so believe in you please."

Gorka's fiancée Gemma, who previously appeared in the dance competition, took to her stories to agree with every word he said.

She shared a clip of Gorka raving about the presenter and added a gif of hands clapping and the words: "Absolutely!!!! What he said!!!"

Gemma agreed with his words (Gemma Atkinson/Instagram)

Helen has had a difficult year after her ex Richie Myler left their family home a few months after they welcomed their third child.

At the time of Richie and Helen's split, the Countryfile star posted a statement online, which read: "Very sad to say that Richie and I are no longer a couple.

"He has left the family home. We will be doing our best to co-parent our small children."

Last week, the former Blue Peter star's ex Richie Myler and his girlfriend Stephanie Thirkill revealed their own baby news.

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Helen has had a tough year following her split from Richie (BBC)

A friend of Stephanie's told The Mirror that Stephanie has been upset about the amount of criticism she has received.

They revealed: "She has told me, ‘It’s upsetting that anyone could be judging me when I am so early on in pregnancy. I want to be able to enjoy this time without it being tarnished as I’ve always dreamed of being a mum.

"I have never meant to cause any upset to Helen but I do feel I’m being painted as some sort of horrible person."

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