Helen Skelton might have missed out on winning Strictly Come Dancing’s Glitterball Trophy on Saturday night - but experts predict she will become the true winner of the season.
The 39-year-old television presenter was pipped to the post on Saturday’s breathtaking series finale as documentarian Hamza Yassin won the contest alongside pro dancer Jowita Prystal.
And while Helen - and a stone faced Gorka Márquez - accepted the silver medal, reports have claimed BBC bosses intend to transform Helen into their ‘golden girl’ following her star turn on the show.
The Countryfile host is expected to find herself in front of BBC camera’s more frequently after winning legions of new fans after foxtrotting and jiving over the past three months.
A BBC mole told The Sun on Sunday: “[BBC] bosses want to make her the channel’s new ‘golden girl’.
“She is being lined up for guest presenting slots on the BBC’s The One Show and Morning Live.”
The source added: “Another option is her own show, a very outdoorsy action series.”
Meanwhile, other business experts predict Helen’s time in the Strictly spotlight will lead to new endorsement deals - and big pay days.
Reports suggest sales for her children’s clothing business Toy Breaker, have already gone through the roof.
Intertalent chairman Jonathan Shalit told the Sun: “If managed well, she could see her earnings triple next year.”
Helen and Gorka were among the favourites to win Strictly - and the duo gushed for each other ahead of the final result on Saturday.
The dance partners were filmed having a heart to heart as they practised their finale show dance in which they performed a dance to the tune of Shine by Emeli Sandé.
Gorka said: "I am very proud of you as I think you’ve grown a lot, and you’re gonna leave this show being a happier person."
While a very tearful Helen wiped her tears and replied: "You can outwardly see how different I am and you have made me remember who I am and that is the biggest and kindest and best thing anyone can ever do for somebody."
Following the result, winner Hamza declared: "Words cannot describe how I feel right now. I want to thank one person in particular."
He turned to his professional dance partner and told her: "You are an angel disguised as a human being. Thank you to everyone who voted for me. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me."
Hamza later shared some advice he was given previously with Strictly viewers.
He told people to "surround yourself with people whose eyes light up when you enter room", he said "the top of one mountain is the bottom of the next so keep climbing" before adding that "slowly is the fastest way to get to where you want to be".
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