Loose Women star Janet Street-Porter has condemned Strictly Come Dancing pro Gorka Marquez branding his passionate speech in defence of Helen Skelton 'uncomfortable' viewing, as he encouraged his celebrity partner to believe in herself.
Helen i s taking part in the new series of Strictly just months after the breakdown of her marriage to rugby star Richie Myler, who is now expecting a child with his new girlfriend and has been candid about her self-confidence battle. Prior to the first live show, Helen walked out of rehearsals via a fire exit and then, weeks later Gorka was forced to surround her with mirrors in rehearsals just to get the ex Blue Peter star to look at herself.
Gorka and Helen returned to the BBC ballroom on Saturday night to perform a pasa doble, which earned them a score of 29 out of 40. And, during their chat with presenter Claudia Winleman, Gorka seized the opportunity to address Helen's lack of confidence and encourage her to have more self belief. With his arm around her, the former finalist said: "Can I just say something? I know you've been having a difficult time and you've been...you may feel like you're not beautiful or good enough or anything, but if you don't believe in yourself, I believe in you; everybody here believes in you."
READ MORE: Gorka Marquez 'halts' Strictly to make emotional Helen Skelton plea
After cheers from fellow Strictly stars, Gorka added: "It doesn't matter how many times I say it, or the judges say it, it's only you who can make the change and is the one who can believe in you. You are an amazing woman, you're inspirational; an amazing mum and incredible dancer, so believe in yourself please."
Gorka's defence of Helen was a big talking point on Monday's Loose Women and one person not impressed by it was outspoken panellist Janet. Giving her opinion on it, she said: ""I think it meant well, but I found it cringey and patronising. I think it would have been good to say those things privately."
Saying she found the televised speech "uncomfortable," Janet added: "Also the most important thing for her right now is to find herself... to rebuild her confidence. And in the first instance, she'll do that with her girlfriends and her close friends.
"And then secondly, she's really got to learn her self-confidence and only she can do that."
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