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Helen Skelton breaks silence on Gorka's Strictly speech and her drastic weight loss

Strictly star, Helen Skelton, was left red-faced when her pro dancing partner Gorka Marquez, spoke publicly about her "difficult time". His comments come a few months after Helen experienced a "shock" split from her husband of eight years, Richie Myler.

Speaking to the Strictly Come Dancing judges, Gorka opened up about how Helen had been "made to feel like [she's] not beautiful." Looking rather shellshocked, Helen said that she will need to speak to Gorka about "what he's allowed to say publicly."

The Countryfile presenter, 39, was said to have been "devastated" by the break-up of her eight year marriage to Leeds Rhinos star, Richie Myler. The Rugby player walked out of the family home, just four months after the birth of their daughter.

Read more: Strictly fans slam 'disappointed' Craig Revel Horwood for score for Helen Skelton's jive

But Helen has since thrown herself into the dancing competition, wowing judges every week with her ever-improving moves. Now, she and Gorka are pegged to make it to the final.

But Gorka shocked Helen recently, when he gave her a pep-talk live on air. After the judges critiqued Helen's performance and encouraged her to believe in herself a bit more, Gorka said: "Can I just say something? I know you've been having a difficult time, and I know you've been made to feel like you're not beautiful or good enough or anything.

"But if you don't believe in yourself...I believe in you. Everybody here believes in you, your family believes in you."

As Gorka spoke and the other contestants cheered, Helen bit her lip then hid behind him before reappearing - but she was unable to say anything, the Express reports. Gorka continued: "It doesn't matter how many times I say it or the judges say it, or anyone says it, it's only you that can make the change and the one who believes in you.

"You are an amazing woman, very inspirational, an amazing mum and an incredible dancer so believe in you please."

Speaking to the Sun, Helen said that she appreciated his words - but was not grateful that he had said them on live TV. She explained: "What I love about Gorka is that he has my very best interests at heart, and we are genuinely very good friends.

"But sometimes, maybe, we need to talk about what he’s allowed to say publicly. I was like, ‘Oh God, where is he going with this?’ That’s why I jumped on the table, to shut him up!"

Helen also shared that Gorka has been very supportive in other aspects of her life, including her weight loss.

She continued: "But Gorka has the measure of me. He brings me a coffee and a pastry every morning because I’m losing so much weight, training constantly and doing the show."

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