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Alex Evans

Strictly's 'beautiful' Helen Skelton given emotional message by partner Gorka

Strictly Come Dancing star Helen Skelton took to the Strictly It Takes Two sofa tonight with pro dance partner Gorka - who had an emotional message of support for her.

Helen Skelton kicked off her debut on the BBC One dance competition on Saturday night - at the same time her ex Richie Myler was posting about his new 'family'.

And making her first appearance on BBC2 spin off show Strictly It Takes Two, it was clear to her pro dance partner Gorka that Helen was in need of a confidence boost.

Read More: Strictly Nadiya's outfit raises eyebrows as she attacks judges

Talking to Janette Manrara, Helen was asked how she felt her first week went.

Helen Skelton was praised by Gorka on It Takes Two on Thursday night (BBC)

The Countryfile presenter told Janette: "I kept saying it's a bit like a rollercoaster. You're a bit nervous before you get on. But once you get on the rollercoaster you don't wanna get off it. As soon as we stepped off the floor I said 'can we do it again?'.

"The glam team and the wardrobe team are incredible. I was being stitched into that as everybody was sat there, on air. And they were so calm making that beautiful costume with minutes to spare."

Gorka then told Janette: "I saw the potential from day one, when I met her and we had a little dance I thought she has a lot of potential, and I believe in her I thought she can go so far. When she step on the floor, she was just a beautiful dancer."

Helen added: "There isn't time to get used to it you just have to do it."

Janette added: "You are not afraid of difficult things and I have a list of ridiculously difficult challenges from your career and I have a list of them here. You've run an ultra marathon - that's three marathons back to back in 24 hours - you've done a tightrope walk and you've kayaked solo down the Amazon. I mean, this must be a walk in the park for you."

"Poor Tyler keeps saying he's doing a marathon at the weekend and he keeps going on about it and I said 'it's only one!' He'll be fine!'.

"I don't think Gorka makes the dances easy, but I like that."

Janette then showed the pair a clip of Gorka wheeling Helen around backstage half dressed in a trolley.

Helen added: "When I take my kids to festivals I take them in one of them and I'm like 'okay get in!' and it's fine.

"But someone was shouting in the background 'this is not risk assessed guys! This is not risk assessed!"

Helen Skelton and Gorka backstage (BBC)

Gorka then added: "Obviously at the minute her confidence is not at her highest so I just want to work on building her confidence, and tell her she's a beautiful dancer, she does well, I believe in her, I just need her to believe in herself because this goes very quick and the quicker she does that, the more she's going to be able to enjoy it.

Gorka then turned to Helen and said: "Just believe in yourself! Because you work very hard and you do incredibly."

Helen replied: "Everyone gushes about their teacher and you are a great teacher but you've been very kind to me as a friend."

Helen Skelton and dance partner Gorka in training, with Helen clad in skintight training gear (BBC)

Janette then introduced the song Helen will be dancing to - Rain on Me, in a Latin dance style.

Asked how training is going, Helen said: "I was asked to do a fast Latin dance and I said if we get through this week will we get to do a ballroom.

"I love it but it's quite intense isn't it."

Strictly It Takes Two is on BBC Two weekdays at 6.30pm.

Strictly Come Dancing returns on BBC1 on Saturday, October 1.

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