Helen Skelton has spoken out about a Strictly Come Dancing 'love triangle' as she prepares to take part in the series tour.
The 39-year-old danced with Gorka Marquez all the way to the final during her time on the programme last year, but has swapped to Kai Widdrington for the tour as her series partner is not taking part.
The pair narrowly missed out on winning the competition, with viewers saying they were "robbed" of the coveted Glitterball trophy when Hamza and Jowita were crowned the champions.
The Mirror reports swapping partners has been quite the challenge for Helen as she's been getting used to 6ft1 Kai rather than 5ft6 Gorka.
Speaking to The Sun, she said: "It's really difficult not to be with Gorka because we're such good friends.
"I've been asking him for advice a lot, so it feels like he's here. I'd have loved for him to do it, but it's almost like he's in the group.
"It's such a tight knit group in the studio anyway. We all talked and all had a laugh. so it's different, but it wasn't a worry and like 'oh my god what's going to happen'.
"We knew each other from the series, we all hung out and spoke a lot. I was very lucky Kai was able to do it."
Helen also recently thanked Gorka in a heartfelt social media post about how he'd supported her during a difficult time in her life.
Early last year, the presenter split from her husband Richie Myler just months after they'd had their third child together. Shortly after the break-up, it was revealed that Richie was in a new relationship and expecting another child with his partner.
Helen posted a highlights video of her time on the show and wrote: "As the frozen Princess said LET IT GO. but before I do, I’m posting this flash back to the strictly final for three reasons: one it’s taken me this long to work out the drop box/video clip situation."
Speaking about her dance partner, she continued: "Two: there’s about to be a whole lot of strictly tour spam that doesn’t involve @gorka_marquez and I need to mark this chapter with an acknowledgement and appreciation of my wingman.
"Three: These are memories that make me smile and sometimes it takes a couple of weeks of hindsight to really appreciate what went down on and off the dance floor."
TV presenter Helen concluded by writing: "You are all just phenomenal!!!!! So so much love for you lot! Can’t wait for you to go around the country and get all the appreciation of the nation that you all deserve!!"
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