Helen Skelton has signed up for Strictly Come Dancing days after her ex posted a loved-up picture with his new girlfriend.
The Countryfile star, 39, said at the weekend she only agreed to do the hit BBC show a few days ago, with sources saying it will be a massive confidence boost for her.
Two weeks earlier, her rugby league star ex Richie Myler, 32, posted an image of him and new love Stephanie Thirkill, also 32, enjoying a Cornish break.
Helen’s eight-year marriage to Myler ended in April, four months after their third child was born.
Stephanie’s father Andrew is president of the Leeds Rhinos team for which Myler plays.
In a July 25 Instagram post, in which he is embracing Stephanie, Myler wrote: “Cornwall was worth a 32 year wait.”
Stephanie replied: ”Thanks for the best weekend! LOVE YOU.”
Helen, who has children Ernie, seven, Louis, five, and Elsie, seven months, with Myler, previously said of the split: “Very sad to say 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.”
A source said signing up for Strictly would give her a lift, adding: “The breakdown of any marriage is tough to cope with, and Helen has understandably found it difficult. Being on Strictly will undoubtedly restore her confidence.”
Helen said she was nervous about taking part despite being installed as the second favourite at 6/1, behind singer Fleur East at 7/2.
The TV star said: “I just wanted to wear nice dresses. I work on farms. I watch cows give birth and stand in wellies.”
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Helen said of finding time for the show while being a mum: “People keep saying you’ve got kids, how are you going to juggle it?
“Any mum who gets a chance to go to work and have their makeup done, their tea made and learn something fun, that’s a gift isn’t it?”
She joins EastEnders star James Bye, Ted Lasso star Ellie Taylor, Bros singer Matt Goss, Kiss radio host Tyler West, ex-footballer Tony Adams and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Molly Rainford.
Paralympic champion Ellie Simmonds, comedian Jayde Adams, Coronation Street actors Will Mellor and Kym Marsh, Loose Women’s Kaye Adams, Radio 2’s Richie Anderson and wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin complete the line-up, with a launch scheduled for September 7.
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