Strictly Come Dancing fans have welcomed Helen's roaring success during the first live episode, as she and dancing partner, Gorka Marquez, briefly topped the leaderboard tonight.
Her success this evening comes as ex, Richie Myler, suffered a blistering defeat in his Leeds Rhinos performance against St Helens. The Rugby League final was lost with a score of 24 to 12, with St Helens going on to achieve a record-breaking fourth consecutive Grand Final win.
There was more success for Leeds on the dancefloor though, as Helen Skelton wowed judges with her and Gorka's rendition of an American Smooth.
Countryfile presenter, Helen, has long been the bookies favourite to win the 2022 series of Strictly, with her performance tonight leaving no doubt that this is a distinct possibility. And fans are welcoming her success, following a bitter split between her and Richie earlier in the year.
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Fans took to Twitter to share their joy. @fiveforeight said: "hel winning while richie myler loses? yes please". @youngwangie said: " Helen Skelton has done a lot Better than Ritchie Myler tonight. She got 26 points".
@bowyerlj said: "I'm really enjoying @bbcstrictly tonight. @HelenSkelton is my one to watch. Hoping she absolutely smashes this - not because of all the horrible #RichieMyler stuff, but because she's a grand lass with bags of talent and deserves to do well. #TeamHelen #TeamSkelton #Strictly "
@terrywicks7 said: " @HelenSkelton Already a tremendous dancer and off scale stunning". @suze_dunnett said: "I am alone in thinking @HelenSkelton was the standout performance this evening?"
Fans have been rooting for Helen ever since the break up between her and Richie was announced in April.
But far from letting the break up get her down, Helen has been throwing herself - literally - into new projects. The biggest, of course, has been her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing.
Tonight she showed fans and judges that she was right at home on the dance floor, despite claiming that she "can't dance". We cannot wait to see what she throws our way next!
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