Helen Skelton prompted her Strictly Come Dancing pro partner Gorka Marquez to take some drastic and unconventional action in rehearsals in a bid to boost her confidence before this weekend's second live show.
While bookies earmarked Helen as a serious contender from the get-go, with her edging out Fleur East to be favourite to win in the hours leading up to the first live show, the former Blue Peter star has been crippled with self doubt, both in training and in the ballroom. It was revealed at the start of this week that Helen had even fled rehearsals through a fire exit, with Gorka having to talk her into returning, before she was left in tears.
In a touching Instagram post, former Strictly finalist Gorka backed Helen, saying he was already 'very proud of her' and she made her dancing look 'effortless.' And he took steps to try and improve Helen's confidence in training, when he surrounded the space with mirrors so she had no choice but to watch herself.
Gorka's rehearsal tactic was revealed in the VT that played out before their cha cha cha to Rain on Me in Saturday evening, with Helen reacting: "Gorka put mirrors around me and I was like 'what are you doing?" After telling Helen to "look at yourself," Gorka explained: "The idea was to kind of only see herself and bring that confidence," before he could be heard saying: "Be sexy in the mirror for yourself. "
After going along with Gorka's idea, Helen added: "When there's three of yourself looking back at you looking back at you in the mirror, it's definitely two to many. But I'm loving this dance, I'm loving this experience. I need to be a different person and I have to to be sexy and own it."
Read next:
Strictly's Shirley Ballas startles viewers with new look as she issues 'awkward' voting plea
Charlotte Crosby has Geordie Shore co-stars in tears with emotional baby reveal
Will Mellor prompts Strictly 'shake up' after blistering debut
Will Mellor likened to Strictly winner as judges left 'speechless'
Strictly's Gorka Marquez backs Helen Skelton after rehearsal 'walk out'
