Strictly's Helen Skelton has shared the gruelling realities of taking part in the BBC dance competition as she shocks fans with a snap of her "battered feet."
The Countryfile presenter posted a snap of her sore feet in her latest social media post as she opens up about how intense the training programme for the show is. Helen's feet look red and stiff and the strap marks from how tight her dancing shoes have been fastened are clearly visible.
But despite her aching trotters, a humble Helen speaks of much she is enjoying the experience, however brutal and tiring, as she documents her hard work and determination to succeed in the competition.
Uploading the snap to her Instagram story yesterday on Tuesday September 27, Helen penned: “And the aim of the game is to be sexy… not with these trotters #nopainnogain.”
She later posted a behind the scenes snap of herself and her professional dance partner, Gorka Marquez, laughing away as they joked around during rehearsals. She expressed her gratitude for the experience despite that fact her "feet are on fire and head is exploding."
Mum-of-three, Helen, captioned the post: "Feet on fire and head exploding but loving every second of this journey… somehow @gorka_marquez finding time to prank everyone - thank god there’s room laugh. It’s been a big old week of training so far and still a lot to do….. here’s to the feet and hips doing what the boss says."
Helen and Gorka wowed judges with the American Smooth and were placed 6th on the leaderboard with a respectable score of 26 on Saturday evening following their first live performance.
Earlier this week Helen praised her parents for their help with childcare while she takes part in the show. She joked that she will owe her parent's "Christmas in the Caribbean" as she takes on the gruelling schedule of rehearsals and live shows.
The former Blue Peter star took to her Instagram account to post a tribute to not only her dance partner Gorka but also to her parents who are helping hold the fort back at home during her time on the show.
Sharing a snap from her's and Gorka's performance at the weekend, Helen penned: "Credit where it’s due … this one @gorka_marquez deserves kudos for not only getting me around the dance floor …. But on it in the first place.
"Grateful Mr M. You’re a master at your craft and a belter of a pal. To all the families holding down the fort behind the scenes…. We are grateful. Pretty sure I will owe my parents Christmas in the Caribbean by time this is over."
It comes after her estranged husband and Leeds Rhinos player, Richie Myler, posted a snap with his new girlfriend, Stephanie Thirkill, referring to her as "family" in the caption, whilst Helen was making her debut on the dance floor.
Alongside the photograph in which Richie is pictured with the daughter of Leeds Rhinos president Andrew Thirkill, Stephanie, 32, he wrote: "Finished this season as a family" followed by a love heart emoji.
Since the split, Helen has thrown herself into other projects - including her Strictly Come Dancing debut - while Richie has flaunted his new relationship on social media.
Helen Skelton has been the bookies favourite to win Strictly even before the show started. She was at first sharing joint odds with Fleur East, but is now the lone frontrunner.
Read next:
Helen Skelton pays sweet tribute to Leeds as she stuns in glamorous dress on Strictly Come Dancing
ITV Emmerdale labelled 'depressing' by viewers amid Faith's cancer heartbreak news
Gogglebox's Jenny makes slip up about King Charles III after Queen's death
Major hints from Emmerdale’s 40th anniversary which will shape its upcoming birthday
Emmerdale's Danny Miller points out 'mistake' in soap's anniversary snap
