Emotional Helen Skelton fought back tears as she was seen for the first time since reports broke her estranged husband is expecting a baby with his new girlfriend, six months after their split.
The usually jubilant former Blue Peter presenter, 39, looked noticeably downcast as she headed back to her hotel after Saturday's Strictly Come Dancing live show.
It has been reported, Helen was made aware her rugby player ex Richie Myler, 32, was expecting a baby with his partner Stephanie Thirkill before it was announced in a social media post on Steph's private Instagram account.
Helen has been throwing herself into Strictly with dance partner Gorka Marquez after a tough year, which saw the TV star announce in April the breakdown of her eight-year marriage, just four months after their daughter Elsie was born.
Biting her lip and clutching her hand to her face, Helen, who has three children with Richie, looked like she was struggling to hold back her emotions as she chatted to Ellie Taylor, who seemed to be consoling her.
Clad in green gym wear, Helen was also pictured wiping away a tear as she stood in reception.
It's been reported rugby player Richie and Stephanie, who is the daughter the owner of Leeds Rhinos rugby club Richie plays for, are "thrilled" to be expecting a baby together.
Helen, meanwhile, is said to be maintaining a "cordial relation" with her estranged husband for the sake of their three children.
A mate of Richie's told The Sun : “The timing of the pregnancy may raise a few eyebrows though. It is obviously such a huge step, and one made remarkably quickly off the back of Helen and Richie’s eight-year marriage ending.
"But Richie and Helen maintain cordial relations, and in a way the timing is actually perfect as Helen is so happy at the moment," they said.
The pal added: "She is loving every second of Strictly Come Dancing, and is far too busy — and probably knackered — to be worrying about her ex, accordingly, Richie didn’t think it would be a huge problem because they have both moved on with their lives."
The Mirror has approached Helen and Richie's representatives for comment.
The rugby player went public with Stephanie soon after their shock split.
Helen announced back in April she and her husband were no longer together in an emotional statement on her Instagram story, stating Richie had left their family home.
She wrote: "Very sad to say that Richie and I are no longer a couple. He has left the family home.
"We will be doing our best to co parent our small children."
They former couple are parents to Elsie, 10 months, Ernie, seven, and Louis, five.
The rugby player went public with Stephanie soon after their shock split.
And their whirlwind romance seems to be going from strength to strength.
As Helen made her debut on the show last month, Richie shared a cosy photo of him with Stephanie.
The father-of-three posted an Instagram snap of him with his girlfriend and her multi-millionaire parents.
"Finished this season as a family," he gushed in the caption - along with a love heart.
