Helen Skelton has revealed she refuses to see herself as a victim after logging on to Strictly to end the year on a “high” amid her divorce.
The Countryfile presenter, 38, announced she had split from husband Richie Myler, 32, in April after eight years of marriage and just four months after the couple’s third child was born.
While Helen is now back at her parents’ home with children Ernie, six, Louis, five, and nine-month-old Elsie, Richie is in a relationship with Stephanie Thirkill, 32, and is pregnant with the couple’s first child.
Going strong: Helen Skelton has revealed she refuses to see herself as a victim after signing up to Strictly to end the year on a ‘high’ amid her divorce (pictured on her way to training on Friday) .
In an interview with The Telegraph, Helen declined to comment on Richie’s new relationship, out of respect for everyone involved, noting: “You can’t have an opinion on someone else’s life until you’ve walked in these shoes. And my family is happy, my kids are happy, and at the end of the day, that’s all that matters.”
Explaining that she agreed to participate in Strictly to end the year on a positive note, she claimed, “I think it would have been disrespectful for me not to have done Strictly. For my family who needs to see me having a great time. It’s not just for me.’
Helen continued, “I don’t see myself as a victim, no, because I mean, look … There are a lot of people who have been in my situation who haven’t been given the opportunities that I have.”
New love: While Helen is now back living with her parents with their children, Richie is in a relationship with Stephanie Thirkill, 32, and she is pregnant with the couple’s first child
Still, she admitted she’s still frustrated, just like everyone else, noting, “Don’t get me wrong, I have my days when I’m upset.”
Helen is now happily single, while Richie’s relationship with Stephanie came to light in May, days after it was announced his eight-year marriage to Helen had ended.
Helen was said to have felt “confused” by the breakdown in her marriage, and a source close to the couple told Web: “Helen is absolutely devastated.”
Coy: Helen, out of respect for everyone involved, declined to comment on Richie’s new relationship, noting, “You can’t have an opinion on someone else’s life until you’ve walked in these shoes.”
Helen added: “I think it would have been disrespectful of me if I hadn’t been strict about it. For my family who needs to see me having a great time. It’s not just for me’
They continued, “Now she’s contemplating life without him while he’s moved on with his new partner.”
Last week, it emerged that Richie was expecting a baby with his new girlfriend, and on Saturday night on Strictly, Helen looked tearful as her dance partner Gorka Marquez opened up about her “difficult time” live on the show.
The TV presenter, 39, performed the Paso Doble this weekend and Gorka, 32, tried to boost Helen’s confidence by telling her to “please believe in you” after apparently alluding to her personal difficulties.
After her dance, Gorka said, ‘I know you’ve had a difficult time and I know that you might not feel beautiful or good enough or something, but if you don’t believe in yourself, I believe in you.’
“Everyone here believes in you, your family believes in you.
“It doesn’t matter how many times I say it or the judges say it or anyone says it, only you will be the one who can make the change and the one who needs to believe in you because you are an amazing woman, very much inspirational, an amazing mom and an incredible dancer so please believe in her.
Out and about: Kym Marsh was also spotted heading to Strictly workout on Friday in a slouchy sweater and leggings paired with a khaki coat
Pour it on: Will Mellor was seen enjoying a cup of coffee as he headed to rehearsals
Helen looked embarrassed as Gorka delivered his candid speech before ducking behind him to hide her face from view.
Richie and Helen share “warm relations” and Helen was reportedly briefed on the news before Stephanie announced it publicly on social media.
A source told The Sun that Stephanie and Richie are “thrilled” about expecting their first child just six months after their relationship came to light.
They added: “Stephanie and Richie are obviously thrilled. They moved very quickly but are very happy together.
“However, the timing of pregnancy may raise a few eyebrows. It’s obviously such a big step, and one that was made remarkably quickly after the end of Helen and Richie’s eight-year marriage.
“But Richie and Helen have warm relationships and in a way the timing is actually perfect as Helen is so happy at the moment.”
The source added that Helen is “far too busy” to focus on her training and rehearsals for Strictly.
Support: Speaking to Strictly on Saturday night, Helen looked tearful as her dance partner Gorka Marquez opened up about her “difficult time” live on the show