Strictly Come Dancing star Helen Skelton has revealed the sweet daily gesture from her on-screen partner, professional dancer Gorka Marquez, that keeps her motivated.
Viewers have seen the Countryfile presenter and her professional dancer partner go from strength to strength throughout the BBC dance competition. Helen and Gorka impressed the judges and fans at home alike once again on Saturday night as they battled for a place at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
The popular pair performed the Salsa to Despacito by Daddy Yankee, a difficult dance but Helen's practice certainly paid off with her and Gorka scoring an impressive 32, with eight points coming from each of the judges. And now mother-of-three, Helen, has revealed the small gesture from Gorka that helps her through the gruelling rehearsals to make sure she is on top form each weekend to wow with their performance.
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Writing in her column for The Telegraph, the former Blue Peter star revealed: "Gorka brings me a coffee at the start of our training sessions and writes on the paper cup, 'You're brilliant, You’ve got this!', so I begin each day in the best possible frame of mind. We also eat a lot of pastries. Pastries help immeasurably."
Helen and Gorka's close friendship was shown live on air recently when Gorka publicly praised Helen on her bravery as he addressed the 'difficult time' she's been having. His comments came a few months after Helen experienced a "shock" split from her husband of eight years, Richie Myler.
Speaking to the Strictly Come Dancing judges, Gorka opened up about how Helen had been "made to feel like [she's] not beautiful." Looking rather shell-shocked, Helen said that she will need to speak to Gorka about "what he's allowed to say publicly."
The Countryfile presenter, 39, was said to have been "devastated" by the break-up of her eight year marriage to Leeds Rhinos star, Richie Myler. The Rugby player walked out of the family home, just four months after the birth of their daughter.
But Helen has since thrown herself into the dancing competition, wowing judges every week with her ever-improving moves. Now, she and Gorka are favourites to make it to the final.
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