Leeds Rhinos fullback Richie Myler was ridiculed and heckled by rival fans as he returned to rugby league action for the first time since his high-profile split from TV presenter Helen Skelton.
Salford Red Devils celebrated a 23-8 win over Leeds to arrest a slide of six straight losses after they had failed to win since the last time they faced the Rhinos back in March. Myler made his first appearance in over three months after he suffered an abductor injury in the first game of the season, but his return from injury was not the headline fans prayed on.
The Salford fans gave Myler abuse throughout, and after he was involved in an altercation with a Red Devils player prior to half time, a number of chants were aimed at the 31-year-old. The most notable was a show of support for his ex partner as they belted out: “There’s only one Helen Skelton!”
Salford fans continued to goat Myler throughout as his side slipped to defeat, chanting the score at him as the hosts dominated to win.
Myler has won two Challenge Cup Finals - including the 2020 edition with Leeds - along with the Lance Todd trophy while also appearing for England.
Myler is now reportedly in a new relationship with Stephanie Thirkhill, the daughter of Rhinos president Andrew. Last week, Skelton announced that she had split with husband Myler after nine years together.
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The rugby player has left the family home they shared together just four months after Helen gave birth to their third child Elsie. The pair also have two other children together: Louise, 4, and Ernie, 6.
The Blue Peter star announced the news in a post on her Instagram stories, writing: “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.”
