Strictly Come Dancing star Helen Skelton could be set for her best performance yet on the BBC show this weekend, following a difficult few days for the BBC star.
Body language expert Judi James says the TV presenter looked like 'a very different Helen' during her latest appearance on Strictly's spin-off show It Takes Two on Thursday night.
Helen and her parner Gorka Marquez joined host Janette Manrara to discuss their week's training hours after it was reporter Helen's estranged husband is expecting a baby with his new girlfriend, six months on from their split.
According to Judi, Saturday's performance could be 'just the therapy Helen needs', as the mum-of-three prepares to take to the dancefloor with Gorka in a fiery Paso Doble.
Smiling as she appeared on It Takes Two, Helen shared her excitement over her highest scores so far from Movie Week, joking "It was just nice to get an 8 and not a 5 from Craig!", before going on to admit she will have to put on a sterner persona as she takes on the Paso Doble.
Speaking about Helen's recent appearance on Strictly's spin-off show, Judi says: "It was a very different Helen on It Takes Two this week and, given her amazing scores for last week’s dance which should have made her even more buoyant than usual, her body language signals seem to suggest it is more likely to be her personal life that has left her looking self-protective and vulnerable.
She continues: "Helen’s pose was self-diminished, which is a sign of a lack of confidence. Her legs were crossed and her hands clasped over her knees and as the interview progressed she edged into the back of the sofa with her arms crossing her body in a barrier ritual, with her upper arms pulled into her torso in a self-hug.
"Helen’s usual wide smile didn’t reach her eyes and when she said she loved the routine she paused and looked at Gorka first rather than speaking with enthusiasm and confidence.
"Being asked to pull a fun ‘Paso’ face into the camera she barely tried, with Gorka nudging her on the leg, saying ‘More! More!’."
Discussing how this weekend's live performance, Judi muses: "Will her emotions threaten to scupper her routine on Saturday? The Paso is an aggressive, dynamic dance.
"If Helen is feeling vulnerable she could struggle. If any inner anger or resentment gets triggered though it could be just the therapy she needs, throwing everything into what she calls her ‘Resting witch face’ and making it her best dance yet."
Helen and Gorka will be hoping viewers pick up the phone and vote for them this weekend, as they dance to Paso Doble to Tamacun by Rodrigo y Gabriela for their third life performance on the BBC show.
* Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 15 October on BBC One
