Presenter-turned-Strictly Come Dancing star, Helen Skelton, has revealed that she feels "so lucky" to be dancing with Gorka Marquez, who has helped her to reach week seven of the prestigious competition.
On Saturday (November 5) the dancing duo are set to take to the floor with their rendition of a Jive, a high-energy dance that is sure to get heartbeats racing. Helen has already been pegged as a frontrunner to make the final, according to judge Motsi Mabuse; and Helen has given thanks to Gorka, 32, for teaching her how to dance.
Speaking to The Mirror, Helen said: "Gorka is a world-class dancer who spends all day teaching me how to dance. I'm very lucky, every bit is joyous." Helen, 39, said that she is "really grateful" just to be involved in Strictly, adding that she is enjoying it more than she thought she would.
Read more: Strictly Come Dancing Helen Skelton's sweet gesture for partner Gorka Marquez's daughter Mia
The Countryfile presenter said: "I'm just really grateful to be involved. Strictly is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It's like being in Disneyland. Everybody is at the top of their game, the hair people, the make-up.
"I'm enjoying it way more than I thought I would. I thought I'd do this because it's fun, but its even way more fun than I thought it would be.
"I knew it would be good, I didn't know it would be this good. I can see why when people are in it they gush about the team, experience and how keen they are to stay in, I totally get that. Before I came into it, I thought 'oh yeah, it'll be nice!' But it's literally like being in Disneyland."
No surprise, then, that Helen has been over the moon with the judge's generous comments in recent weeks. Last Saturday, head judge Shirley Ballas told Helen that she was "giving more soul", but Helen said that her main motivator is having fun.
She added: "This whole show for me is about having a good time, learning and working hard. As long as I ticked those boxes at the end of each week, I'm happy.
"I'm working really hard in the week, I'm laughing all day. I'm sweating and I'm tired and the rest of it but that's really a rewarding feeling."
Following a tough few months - with her eight-year marriage to Leeds Rhinos star, Richie Myler, coming to an end in April - Helen said that Strictly has helped to put a smile back on her face. She has been throwing herself into the competition, enjoying every week.
"For me, all I wanted to do in this competition is smile, work, learn and improve. If I get to the end of each week and I've done that brilliantly, if I get through the week then I'm ecstatic," she said.
And it is not just Strictly that Helen is working on at the moment, as she has recently partnered with Smart Energy to help Brits save some cash during the cost of living crisis. She has been sharing some top tips for people to save money on their energy bills.
Are you rooting for Helen to win Strictly? Let us know in the comments!
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