Helen Skelton has broken her silence on making her Strictly Come Dancing debut after she took to the BBC ballroom dance floor with professional partner Gorka Marquez.
The hit celebrity talent show returned for its first live instalment on Saturday as Helen and Gorka performed their American Smooth to Aretha Franklin’s You Send Me.
The couple were awarded a total of 26 points, prompting Helen to take to Instagram the following day to praise her ‘master’ partner Gorka.
She wrote: “Credit where it's due … this one Gorka deserves kudos for not only getting me around the dance floor …. But on it in the first place.
“Grateful Mr M. You're a master at your craft and a belter of a pal. To all the families holding down the fort behind the scenes…. We are grateful.”
She cheekily added: “Pretty sure I will owe my parents Christmas in the Caribbean by time this is over.”
Friends and fans were quick to react to her post, with former Strictly contestant Catherine Tyldesley writing: “You were incredible.”
Pro Gorka also replied to the mother-of-three, commenting: “It's all down to you and your hard work! So proud.”
Ahead of her debut, Helen teased that allowing her dance partner into her personal space has proved quite a challenge whilst they have been rehearsing for Strictly Come Dancing.
Helen’s participation comes following her separation from husband Richie Myler, 32. The former couple – who got married in 2013 – have three young children together.
She has thrown herself into the dance competition since announcing their split. Helen however has revealed that the experience has presented a challenge though.
She's admitted that allowing her dance partner into her personal space has proved difficult. She said recently: "Yesterday when we were getting close, my partner was like 'every time I get close to you, you jump away'."
The former Blue Peter presenter explained: "Things like that are what you have to get used to." She further commented about it: "I think that'll be the challenge."
Helen is best known for having presented Blue Peter from 2008 until her departure from the show in 2013. Her other credits include fronting Newsrounds in 2007 and 2008.
She joined the presenting team on Countryfile in 2008 and has remained on the BBC show since. She's also been a guest presenter on Lorraine and Steph's Packed Lunch.
Strictly Come Dancing returns live at 6:30pm on Saturday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
