Helen Skelton has shared an emotional post marking her daughter's first birthday after what has been a whirlwind year for the former Blue Peter presenter. She split from her husband Richie Myler just four months after giving birth to daughter Elsie last December.
The Countryfile star, 39, revealed the shocking news in an Instagram statement telling fans she was 'very sad', reports The Mirror. However, only months later, Helen threw herself back into work, launching her own Radio 5 Live weekend show.
She also became a last minute addition to this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing - where she made it all the way to the final. But after a turbulent year, Helen has celebrated her daughter's first birthday and shared her pal's tribute to the tot on Instagram.
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Sharing an adorable black and white pic of Elsie, Stevie Atkins, who is married to rugby player Ryan Atkins, wrote: "Happy first birthday to you Elsie.
"You are the most adorable little girl who stole our hearts the second we laid eyes on you. We hope your day is fun and everything you deserve it to be.
"All our love, hugs and kisses from Stevie, Ryan, Nala and Jada xxx." Turning her attention to her 'super mummy' pal Helen, Stevie said she hoped the mother-of-three was relaxing herself.
"Happy birthing day to you too super mummy @helenskelton. Love you more than words can say. Have a glass of champagne for me too today, mwah x," she penned.
Helen has been adjusting to life as a single mum over the last year after her rugby league star husband separated from her after eight years of marriage. After her heartache, Helen threw herself into BBC dance series Strictly, admitting she felt like a ‘different person’ on the show following a difficult few months.
Opening up about the experience on It Takes Two, she said: “I came into this and I underestimated it, because I thought, ‘It’s dancing and nice dresses and interesting people’. But it’s weird, it's so much more than that. It makes you ask questions of yourself that you don’t ask."
Gorka was also a huge support to Helen and spoke passionately about her time in the competition during one live show as Helen looked on. After their performance, Gorka told his partner: "I know you have been having a difficult time and I know you’ve been made to feel like you’re not beautiful or good enough.
“But if you don’t believe in yourself, I believe in you, everybody here believes in you, your family believe in you.” He later added: "It doesn’t matter how many times I say it or the judges say it or anybody says it, it’s only you that’s going to make the change and the one who needs to believe in you.
"You’re an amazing woman…amazing mum and incredible dancer so believe in yourself please.” However, while they were pipped to the post by Hamza Yassin and Jowita Pryzstal, the presenter told her partner they were already winners after two standing ovations in the final.
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