Strictly Come Dancing’s Helen Skelton has praised Gorka Marquez for helping her remember who I am as they reached the finals of the competition.
In an emotional VT, the presenter, 39, breaks down in tears as she praises the professional dancer, 32, for boosting her confidence, telling him: “You put faith in me that I didn’t have. “
Helen’s words come amid her split from husband Richie Myler, 32, in April after eight years of marriage, just four months after she gave birth to their third child – and Richie quickly moved on with new girlfriend Stephanie Thirkill, 33.
Praise: Strictly Come Dancing’s Helen Skelton has praised Gorka Marquez for helping her remember who I am as they reached the finals of the competition
The mother-of-three has previously opened up about her struggles with her confidence during their split and credited the BBC show for helping her “be happy in my own skin”.
And in a clip shown ahead of her show dance on Saturday, Helen thanked her dance partner for the tremendous impact he’s had on her.
During a break from rehearsals, Gorka told her, “I’m very proud of you because I think you’ve grown a lot and you’ll leave this show a happier person.”
Thank you: In an emotional VT, the presenter, 39, broke down in tears as she praised the professional dancer, 32, for boosting her confidence, telling him: ‘You believed in me I didn’t have. “
Tough: Helen’s words come amid her split from husband Richie Myler, 32, in April after eight years of marriage, just four months after she gave birth to their third child
To which a tearful Helen told him, “You can see on the outside how different I am and you’ve reminded me of who I am and that’s the biggest, kindest and best thing anyone can ever do for someone.”
Struggling to hold back tears, she sobbed, “You put faith in me I didn’t have.”
The two then shared an emotional hug as they reflect on the amazing journey they’ve been on together.
Despite giving it their all on the dance floor, the show was eventually won by Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal.
Grateful: And in a clip shown ahead of her show dance on Saturday, Helen thanked her dance partner for the tremendous impact he had on her
Sweet: “You can see on the outside how different I am, and you’ve reminded me of who I am, and that’s the biggest, kindest, best thing anyone can ever do for someone.”
It comes after Helen blamed Strictly Come Dancing for splitting the darkness of her marriage – and says she’s rediscovered her confidence by appearing on the show.
The Countryfile presenter revealed that it was “delightfully freeing to be happy in my own skin” while starring in Strictly following her split from her husband of eight years, Richie Myler.
Helen, a mother-of-three, says performing with pro Gorka Márquez has never been about being “sexy” but rather their partnership has focused on taking back “control” and feeling “sassy and powerful” while the TV star admitted she found herself dancing on the floor.
Winer: Although they gave it their all on the dance floor, the show was eventually won by Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal
Speaking ahead of the Strictly finale, Helen said: “Everyone has confidence in different ways.
“I spoke to Claudia [Winkleman] one day about it and not everyone can strut down the high street in heels and a dress but maybe you dare to talk politics or write books or whatever but yes I have found confidence.
“Gorka is smart because he was never about being sexy, it was about being sassy and powerful and being in control, and that’s a wonderfully liberating thing for anyone to do when they feel like they’re in control.” having himself and what he does.
‘I’ve found confidence’: It comes after Helen blamed Strictly Come Dancing for splitting the gloom of her marriage – and says she’s rediscovered her confidence by appearing on the show
“I don’t think it’s about being sexy, I think it’s about being confident in your own skin and being who you are.
“What Gorka kept saying to me at the beginning, which I didn’t understand, was: ‘Just confirm it’. I said ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about, I’m here’ – I said ‘what does that even mean?’ But now I understand.
“There was a wonderfully liberating thing about just being happy in my own skin and shoes and going for every walk I take.”
‘It was about being cheeky’: The Countryfile presenter, who is hoping to win Saturday’s Glitter Ball trophy, revealed that it was ‘delightfully liberating to be happy in my own skin’.