Countryfile presenter-turned-Strictly star, Helen Skelton, has said that she joined the show "battle hardened", following the breakdown of her eight year marriage to Leeds Rhinos star, Richie Myler.
The 39-year-old, who has previously spoken out about her motivations for joining the cast of the prestigious dancing show, said that she was not worried about "baring her soul", after the sudden end of her relationship. The couple, who had been married for eight years, split up earlier this year - with Richie leaving the family home just four months after the birth of his baby daughter, Elsie Kate.
At the time, Helen was said to have been "blindsided" by the break-up. However, she has since thrown herself into her Strictly Come Dancing appearance, wowing judges alongside her pro partner, Gorka Marquez.
Now, Helen said that she was ready to "bare her soul" on the show and admitted that the break-up had left her feeling "battle-hardened". Speaking to The Sun, she said: "I came into this show quite battle-hardened, ChronicleLive reports.
"Strictly is probably quite overwhelming for a lot of people but for me, weirdly, I was actually in the best place to be in it. Other people were worried about all the attention that comes with being on Strictly, or baring their souls on the telly, whereas I was ready for that."
Richie and Helen wed in 2013 and are also parents to Ernie, seven, and five-year-old Louis. But soon after ending the relationship with Helen, Richie began a relationship with the daughter of Leeds Rhinos president, Andrew Thirkhill.
He and Stephanie Thirkill, 32, are now expecting a child together, with the announcement of their pregnancy coming last month.
But, far from stewing over her ex's new relationship, Helen said that she has completely engrossed herself in Strictly. She said: "I’ve always seen my brain as being like a muscle — one which I need to exercise to keep my head in check.
"So that’s what Strictly is doing for me, it really is. It’s the most brilliant, all-consuming thing to be a part of. I decided to do it because I wanted to have some [fun]. I’d been asked before but always said no."
But, this year, Helen said that she was asked "last-minute" as the producers had already announced the cast. When they approached her, though, she decided to bite the bullet - and said yes.
She said: "My friends made me do it, and this time around I had nothing holding me back, so I said yes."
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