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Daily Mirror
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Zoe Delaney

Helen Skelton breaks down in tears on Strictly as she says she's a 'different person'

Helen Skelton broke down in tears on Strictly Come Dancing t his evening.

The former Blue Peter presenter, 39, got emotional when speaking during a VT before taking to the dancefloor with Gorka Márquez to perform a Samba to a version of Eso Beso, originally by Paul Anka.

Helen - who recently opened up about how she handles 'down days' - struggled to speak as she recorded the VT during a break from rehearsals earlier this week.

The mum-of-three, who split from estranged husband Richie Myler, 32, earlier this year, admitted she is a "different person" to the one she was when she first began her Strictly journey.

Helen Skelton struggled to fight back the tears as she recalled her Strictly journey so far (BBC)

Recalling her "best performance yet" in Blackpool last week, Helen explained how the best reaction to her last dance came from her dad, who told his daughter how she proud he was of her.

"He just looked at me and said 'you seem like you again' and I'm certainly a different person than when we started," Helen said as she spoke during the pre-recorded VT.

Growing emotional, she continued to say: "I think for me...the thing..."

Gorka was on hand to comfort the emotional star (BBC)

The popular star then broke down in tears as her dance partner rushed to comfort her.

"I think even you would say I'm a different person from day one, right?" Helen said to Gorka as she composed herself following the emotional moment.

In April this year, the Countryfile star was left devastated when her husband Richie left their family home just months on from Helen giving birth to their third child in December 2021.

Viewers watching at home were moved by Helen's vulnerable moment (BBC)

Rugby player Richie, 32, is expecting his first baby with new girlfriend Stephanie Thirkill, after striking up a romance with the daughter of the multi-millionaire president of Leeds Rhinos following his split from Helen.

Earlier this week, Helen opened up about how she handles tough times, as we come to the end of a year filled with highs and lows for the busy mum-of-three.

"I’ve always seen my mind as a muscle – if you look after it, it will look after you," Helen admitted. "People ask me if my glass is half full or half empty, and I say, 'I’ve got a glass haven’t I?'"

Helen announced Richie had 'left the family home' in April (Instagram)

Speaking with OK! magazine, the star added: "Life is a blessing. Sometimes my friends are like, ‘You must have a down day,’ and of course I do, but I was just always one of those kids that was brought up to believe there’s someone worse off than yourself, so just get on with it."

Helen is tipped to make it all the way to the Strictly final with professional dancer partner Gorka next month - an achievement that would see the former Blue Peter presenter finish her 2022 on a high note.

Following her latest performance on the BBC show, Helen got some mixed feedback from the tough judges - with Craig Revel-Horwood claiming the star's dance was a little wooden.

Strictly fans want to see Helen lift the Glitterball trophy (PA)

But fans watching at home loved it, with one declaring on Twitter : "I just want Helen to win more than anything now.. what a woman, everything she’s been through this year and to come out every week and give performances like that."

"I also want Helen to win and wasn’t her best this week but she is incredible #Strictly," another added after Helen broke down in tears on the show, with a third writing: "Helen to win."

Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One at 6PM on Sunday 27th November

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