Helen Skelton 's estranged husband hinted at his pregnancy news as his ex took to the dancefloor for the first time last month.
It's been reported that Richie Myler and his new partner Stephanie Thirkill are expecting their first child together.
Sources close to the parents-to-be claim the pair are 'thrilled' with the news.
Strictly Come Dancing star Helen broke her online silence on Thursday morning [October 13] amid the reports, and was apparently told about her ex's news before his current beau Stephanie, daughter of the multi-millionaire president of Leeds Rhinos, took to her private Instagram account to reveal her pregnancy.
Last month, as Strictly's Helen appeared on the BBC show live for the first time, dad-of-three Richie seemingly hinted towards how fast things were moving with his new girlfriend with a now-revealing comment - calling Stephanie and her parents 'family' in a gushing Instagram post.
As Helen wowed viewers on the BBC dancefloor with partner Gorka Marquez, her rugby star ex shared snap of him with Stephanie , 32, and her multi-millionaire parents to his Instagram Stories - captioning the update: "Finished this season as a family [love heart emoji]."
Although Stephanie's alleged pregnancy wasn't public news at the time, she and Richie would have likely known they are expecting their first child together after a whirlwind romance.
Countryfile presenter Helen was left devastated when Richie called it quits on their eight year marriage in April, just four months after she gave birth to their third child. Alongside their newborn daughter Elsie Kate, the former couple also share sons, Ernie, six, and Louis, four.
Taking to her Instagram Stories 24 hours on from her first live Strictly performance - and Richie's 'family' update - Helen posted a heartwarming snap of Ernie and Louis embracing as they played with their toys. The former Blue Peter presenter captioned the sweet image: "Besties."
Helen is yet to publicly comment on the reports her estranged husband is expecting his fourth child with his new partner, but it's been claimed Richie doesn't think his pregnancy news will be 'a huge problem'.
A pal of Richie's told The Sun : "Stephanie and Richie are obviously thrilled. They have moved very quickly but are extremely happy together. 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 added: "Accordingly, Richie didn’t think it would be a huge problem because they have both moved on with their lives."
Helen announced the end of her marriage in April this year, telling her social media followers at the time: "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."
Following the shock split, Richie was snapped with new girlfriend Stephanie, who is daughter of the multi-millionaire president of Leeds Rhinos - the rugby club the dad-of-three currently plays for.
The Mirror has previously reached out to Helen and Richie for comment.
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