Strictly Come Dancing’s Helen Skelton has been spending time with her dance partner Gorka Marquez's family ever since joining the BBC competition.
The Countryfile presenter has now opened up about her secret bond with Gorka’s financée Gemma Atkinson. Last month Gorka and Gemma invited Helen round to their house for dinner dispelling any rumours of a Strictly ‘curse’.
And pals say Gemma thinks Helen is a ‘sweetheart’, especially after her shock split from husband Richie Myler, who she shares three children with, The Mirror reports.
READ MORE: Strictly's Helen Skelton arrives in Blackpool with Gorka as she reaches 'milestone'
Detailing their new friendship in a chat with Closer magazine, Helen said: “I’m so lucky because Gemma’s also done the show and she gets it. She understands what it’s like when you’re in my shoes, so I feel like I get the benefit of that support (as well as Gorka’s).”
Their close bond comes as no surprise, as Gemma previously took to Instagram to share her support for the pair. She previously shared a selfie of the two and remarked: "C’mon!!! Go out there and shine Helen! You're gonna have the most Amazing time on Strictly! Will be rooting for you both."
Gemma was reportedly ‘relieved’ that Gorka is paired with Helen due to her ‘genuine’ nature. Both Helen and Gorka have formed a great friendship and it seems Gemma and Gorka have really taken Helen under their wing as she battles it out to win the coveted Strictly trophy.
After one of their performances earlier this month, Gorka praised Helen publicly but also discussed her marriage breakdown. She later admitted she wasn’t mad at Gorka for what he did but took him to one side for a chat afterwards. Helen told The Sun : “What I love about Gorka is that he has my very best interests at heart, and we are genuinely very good friends.
“But sometimes, maybe, we need to talk about what he’s allowed to say publicly. I was like, ‘Oh God, where is he going with this? That’s why I jumped on the table - to shut him up!”
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