They've been wowing audiences on Strictly Come Dancing with their nifty moves but the stars swapped the dancefloor for the red carpet as they attended the Pride of Britain Awards. Kym Marsh and Helen Skelton were among the celebs ramping up the glam at the awards in London, which celebrates the achievements of remarkable people in one of the most emotional nights of the year.
Former Coronation Street star Kym, who has been tearing up the dancefloor with Graziano Di Prima, had flashbulbs popping in a sheer effect black off-the-shoulder dress. The 46-year-old actress and Morning Live presenter looked radiant in her figure-hugging dress teamed with sparkling strappy heels.
Kym, who played Rovers Return landlady and barmaid Michelle Connor for 14 years until 2019, danced her way through to the next round of Strictly Come Dancing at the weekend with a barnstorming quickstep to Ballroom Blitz. She made it to the BBC dance contest's Halloween Week after landing in the bottom two last week and surviving the dreaded dance-off with singer Matt Goss.
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However, Kym appeared disappointed as she and Graziano secured a score of 27 out of a possible 40 leaving them in the bottom end of the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard. While judge Motsi Mabuse said the routine was like a "ray of sunshine coming in" she noted that she saw uncertainty in Kym's eyes.
Anton Du Beke added that her performance lacked some of her usual confidence and head judge Shirley Ballas argued the performance lacked 'stamina' and that it 'wasn't her best dance'. But Craig Revel Horwood disagreed, saying: "I thought you came out absolutely confident. Your frame needs work, we all know that but I thought the footwork was clean and, as Anton said, you flew around that floor, well done."
Viewers were amazed during the show launch last month to find out that Kym has three grandchildren and she said she was pleased to be taking part in the popular long-running show for the grandmas. "I am doing it for the grannies, definitely," she declared. "Has a granny ever won before?" host Tess Daly asked as Kym informed her they hadn't. "I could be the first!" she exclaimed.
Former Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton, 39, was a vision in green at the awards in a citrus-shade cut-out detail dress. . The mum-of-three danced an uplifting Charleston on Saturday night to the theme song to the show she presented from 2008 until 2013.
Viewers watching at home and the judges loved Helen's routine, with head judge Shirley Ballas remaining on her feet in a standing ovation. She was told it was 'phenomenal' and her best performance of the series so far.
Fans loved seeing Helen bursting with confidence after previously being urged to believe in herself, and they scored 35 points out of a possible 40. Her pro dance partner Gorka Marquez has moved fans with his show of support for his celebrity partner throughout the contest.
The previous week the Spanish dancer was applauded by viewers - and his fiancee Gemma Atkinson - after he halted the show to tell Helen she needed to believe in herself, despite going through a difficult time. Countryfile presenter Helen announced back in April that her eight year marriage to Leeds Rhinos rugby player Richie Myler had ended, four months after she gave birth to their third child.
Helen and Richie welcomed their baby daughter Elsie Kate on December 28. They also have two young sons Ernie, seven, and Louis, five.
"Very sad to say that Richie and I are no longer a couple," Helen wrote on social media. "He has left the family home. We will be doing our best to co-parent our small children."
British former Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds was the picture of glamour in a twinkling black dress as beamed on the Pride of Britain red carpet alongside her dance partner Nikita Kuzman. At the weekend the popular pair performed the Paso Doble to Montagues and Capulets from Sergei Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, as used as the theme music for the BBC's Apprentice.
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