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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

Gorka Marquez sends message to Helen Skelton as she beams lifting Glitterball trophy without him

Gorka Marquez has responded after Helen Skelton lifted the Strictly Come Dancing Glitterball trophy without him. The dancer and the Countryfile presenter made it all the way to the final of the BBC One dance competition back in December.

The pair pulled out all the steps for the final on December 17 including a repeat of their simply iconic routine to Mein Herr in Carberet. But despite an outcry from viewers, the pair emerged without the Strictly 2022 champions title and the coveted sparkling trophy to eventual winners Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal.

But that didn't dampen Gorka and Helen's spirits as they both rushed to social media to share their joy at making it all the way to the end of the competition and their pride for both themselves and their fellow finalists.

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And while the Strictly 2022 final marked the end of Gorka and Helen's dancing journey together, the latter's Strictly experience continued as she signed up for the Strictly Live tour. Helen has been travelling the country to perform to thousands of fans of the hit show alongside her co-stars.

Fellow finalists Fleur East and Molly Rainford as well as winner Hamza and fellow Strictly 2022 alumni Tyler West, Ellie Simmonds and Will Mellor have spent weeks busting their best moves in the country's biggest arenas whilst also enjoying a good time backstage and in different cities.

And while Helen and Gorka didn't get their winning moment, a beaming Helen did get her hands on a Glitterball trophy alongside her new dance partner Kai Widdrington.

Helen and Gorka during the final of Strictly 2022 (PA)

As the Strictly Live tour 2023 came to an end on Sunday night (February 12), it was revealed that Helen and Kai had 'won' the most shows on the tour. When at the show, audience-goers get the chance to vote for their favourite with the winning couple being announced at the end of each show.

Taking to Instagram, Helen disguised her winning moment with Kai, in which they had switched into their loungewear after the last show, among a bunch of snaps from the last few weeks of dancing on tour. "Oh what fun we had…." the mum-of-three typed before she added: "Over and out," and tagged all her fellow stars.

And Gorka was among those to respond as he wrote in the comments: "Well done guys!!!" He also shared the photo of Kai and Helen's with their trophies and posted it to his Instagram Story with a string of applause emojis. Kai's girlfriend and fellow Strictly pro, Nadia Bychkova also said: "Well done."

Sharing the same images, Kai wrote on his own Instagram page: "@strictlycomedancinglive tour 2023. @helenskelton you’re a super star and it’s been my absolute pleasure to share the stage with you every single night! Memories that will last a lifetime. Thankyou." And fans were thrilled.

@lesleywhite89 said: "Well deserved Helen was robbed on the main Strictly show." @kayeandkai commented: "My winners @helenskelton and @kaiwidd So deserved!" @sarah.beeston echoed: "So well deserved- Helen should have won the tv series." @lowe8440 added: "Fabulous @gorka_marquez must be so proud of you."

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