Helen Skelton says Strictly is a good chance for her family to 'see her smiling' amid split

Strictly in the first place was to have fun, so I’m really pleased with how our Cha Cha Cha went last week, especially after a hideous dress-rehearsal on the Saturday afternoon. My professional partner Gorka Márquez’s approach is for me to not get hung up on the little things and to just have a good time. When we finished our dance we were the happiest out of the lot of us.

Helen Skelton may have had her confidence shaken in her marriage split but she showed dazzling form on the opening show – and pro partner Gorka Marquez is urging her to “believe she can do it”. The Countryfile presenter, 38, was devastated earlier this year when husband of eight years Richie Myler ended their relationship. And then, in the week she made her Strictly debut, the rugby league player referred to his new girlfriend as his “family”.

Strictly Come Dancing star Helen Skelton looked visibly exhausted after a sweaty dance rehearsal with pro partner Gorka Márquez.The Countryfile presenter, 39, appeared to have collapsed on the floor while practicing her Cha Cha – but thankfully managed a reassuring thumbs up to indicate she wasn't doing too badly. In the video shared on Gorka's Instagram, Helen and her pro partner could be seen joking about their tough schedule, which included appearing on ITV's Lorraine at 9.30am the next morning.

really pleased with last week’s dance, though obviously there’s room for improvement, and I was really grateful the judges gave me positive feedback and things I can work on. Ultimately I was happy that Gorka Márquez, my professional partner, was happy. He’s put in so many hours and, above being a great teacher, he’s been a really great pal, so I will be forever thankful to him and his family.

Strictly Come Dancing star Helen Skelton insists being sexy isn't her "priority" anymore. The Countryfile presenter - who was left devastated when she split from her estranged husband Richie Myler just four months after she gave birth to their third child - appeared on ITV's Lorraine today where her and professional dance partner Gorka Marquez chatted about their upcoming performance on the BBC One Latin and ballroom show.

Helen Skelton unveiled her new nickname for professional dance partner Gorka Marquez on Wednesday.MORE: Helen Skelton's candid parenting confession will melt your heart - watchTaking to Instagram, the Countryfile presenter shared a joyful snap alongside 32-year-old Gorka. Alongside the photo, Helen included the caption: "Feet on fire and head exploding but loving every second of this journey...WATCH: Helen Skelton dazzles in glitter-clad jumpsuit for Strictly reveal"Somehow @gorka_marquez finding time to prank everyone - thank God there's room to laugh.

She’s doing her best to impress the judges on Strictly Come Dancing, but Helen Skelton’s pals are worrying that she’s putting too much pressure on herself as the competition intensifies. Helen and her professional partner Gorka Marquez scored 26 points as the show kicked off at the weekend, but that only puts more pressure on Helen to keep delivering. As well as wanting to spend as much time as possible immersing herself in Strictly’s notoriously challenging rehearsal schedule, we’re told Helen is also determined to be around for all of her nine-month-old daughter Elsie’s “firsts”.

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional James Jordan has branded Helen Skelton and Gorka Márquez the “perfect couple”.Taking to Twitter to give his annual weekly verdict on the performances, James, who was a pro on the show from 2006 to 2013, said the pair were “amazing”.The 44 year old wrote on Twitter: “Helen. You clever boy Gorka. Clearly the best of the night so far and for week 1 amazing.

Strictly Come Dancing's Helen Skelton from taking time out from training to help with something else quite magical.READ: Ola & James Jordan's Strictly verdict on Will's jive, Ellie's emotional performance and winner predictionsThe presenter on Countryfile visited Hoar Cross Hall in Staffordshire as it was transformed into a enchanted manor for two weeks to welcome 240 families with children living with life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses.The Walt Disney Company teamed up with charities Make-A-Wish UK and The Kentown Wizard Foundation to create three-day immersive Disney Wish experiences for the children and their families, repeating the success of last year’s first event held in the UK, when overseas holiday dreams had to be put on hold due to the pandemic. When Helen, 39, was asked to go along and meet some of the children and their families, she didn’t hesitate.

Helen Skelton's ex Richie Myler has made a thinly-veiled dig at the star as she began her Strictly Come Dancing journey this weekend.The presenter, 39, split from the rugby player, 32, in April this year - just months after giving birth to their baby daughter Elsie Kate. In a recent Instagram story, the sportsman shared a snap with his new girlfriend Stephanie Thirkill, 32, alongside her family. He captioned it: "Finished this season as a family." Meanwhile, his Countryfile ex landed in sixth place on the Strictly leaderboard with her professional dance partner Gorka Marquez.

Strictly Come Dancing 2022 kicked off with its first live show on Saturday night (September 24) and Helen Skelton and her professional partner Gorka Marquez won hearts while scoring 26 points. After the former Blue Peter presenter made her dancing debut on the BBC dance contest her ex Richie Myler shared photos of himself and new partner Stephanie Thirkill on his Instagram.

Helen Skelton was a vision on Saturday when she reshared a candid Strictly Come Dancing rehearsal snap - and her physique looked incredible.MORE: Helen Skelton fans all saying same thing about her Strictly partneringTaking to her Instagram Stories, the Countryfile star, 39, was seen alongside her partner Gorka Marquez, fellow contestant Ellie Taylor and her partner Johannes Radebe. Ellie, who had her hair in rollers, and Helen, rocked billowing rehearsal skirts for the behind-the-scenes photo.WATCH: Helen Skelton dazzles in glitter-clad jumpsuit for Strictly revealHelen matched her long skirt with a fabulous sporty grey, acid wash sports bra which showed off her impressive Strictly-honed physique.READ: Strictly star Anton Du Beke shares injury that forced him into judgingSEE: 12 Strictly Come Dancing pros' glitzy weddings: Amy Dowden, Janette Manrara & moreThe two celebrities appear to be getting on like a house on fire since starting the show as just before the candid update, Ellie shared the sweetest photo of the two of them cuddled up together.