Comedian Jayde Adams has defended Helen Skelton against claims that she only found confidence through participating in Strictly Come Dancing. Helen, 39, has danced her way into the show's grand final on BBC One on Saturday, December 17.
After weeks of battling it out, the contestants have been whittled down to just four pairs - Helen and Gorka Márquez, Fleur East and Vito Coppola, Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystał, and Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu. The four couples will compete one last time for a chance to win the coveted Glitterball trophy.
Writing in the Daily Express, ex-Strictly Professional dancer Joanne Clifton said Helen had been on a "journey like no other", praising her confidence which Joanna claims she picked up during Musicals week. She wrote: "I hate to use the “j” word but wow, this woman has been on a journey like no other. The comparison from the beginning until now is indescribable."
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"The confidence from musicals week needs to stay. The joy of Blackpool needs to stay. If she has a slower dance, the beautiful softness needs to stay. Watch the dances back, reimagine the feelings you had with them, and bring it all back onto that floor."
However, former Strictly contestant and Bristol comedian Jayde Adams clapped back in disbelief at the idea the TV presenter was not confident. Singing Helen's praises, Jayde reminded Twitter users about Helen's many achievements, from kayaking the Amazon River to cycling the South Pole.
Jayde tweeted: "Before #Strictly Helen was the 2nd woman only, to finish 78-mile Namibian ultra marathon 23h 45. Kayaked the Amazon, tightroped 150m over Battersea Power Station, cycled to the South Pole, TV, radio, sports career & had 3 babies one she birthed herself. Not confident? HAHAHAHA."
She added: "Daily Express babes, pipe down will ya."
Some Strictly fans responded saying they agreed completely with the comedian. BBC Radio Two presenter Kate Bottley said she "blocked some one this week for suggesting she’s ‘milking her story for pity votes’ despite her never having said anything about it on camera.
"If it looks like misogyny and sounds like misogyny then it’s probably misogyny…" she continued.
Another fan said: "Amazing how randomers think Helen lost her sparkle or lacks confidence all from watching what in total is an hour ish (?) of TV footage of her. Mystic Meg would be proud."
While some fans added said they thought Helen's time on Strictly was more "self-exposing" than her previous adventures, with many mentioning her difficult split with her husband Richie Myler in April this year, Jayde said Helen was "thriving before, she's thriving now, and she'll thrive after".
Jayde tweeted: "Helen, like Hamza. Is stoic. Yet Hamza is ‘humble’ and Helen ‘lacks confidence.’ I’ve spent time with Helen, and I know this description is entirely false. I’m just wanting to change these unfair narratives around the women on Strictly. I could point out so many imbalances"
Responding to another user, she added: "She deserves everything because she’s talented, has worked very hard and because she’s had the classic Strictly progression arc! No. Other. Reason."
Helen and Gorka will be battling for the Strictly crown on Saturday after receiving the joint lowest score alongside Hamza and Jowita. Each couple will be performing three dances - one Judges Choice, one Couple's Pick, and one Showdance.
Strictly Come Dancing final dances
Judges' Choice
- Fleur and Vito: Samba to Hot Hot Hot by Arrow
- Helen and Gorka: Jive to Tightrope by Janelle Monáe
- Molly and Carlos: Quickstep to Love On Top by Beyoncé
- Hamza and Jowita: Ecuador by Sash! featuring Rodriguez
Couple's Pick
- Fleur and Vito: Couple's Choice to Destiny's Child megamix
- Helen and Gorka: Couple's Choice to Mein Herr from Cabaret
- Molly and Carlos: Rumba to All The Man I Need by Whitney Houston
- Hamza and Jowita: Couple's Choice to Jerusalema Remix by Master KG featuring Burna Boy and Nomcebo Zikode.
Show Dances
- Fleur and Vito: Find Me by Sigma feat. Birdy
- Helen and Gorka: Shine by Emeli Sande
- Molly and Carlos: Kiss/1999 by Prince
- Hamza and Jowita: Let's Face the Music and Dance by Irving Berlin
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