Helen Skelton admits juggling life as a single mum can be tough - but Strictly Come Dancing provides the ultimate me time for her.
The Countryfile presenter, who has three kids with her ex-husband Richie Myler, appeared with Ranvir Singh and Dr Amir Khan on Lorraine today as they discussed being a working mum and how tricky it can be. The trio were keen to help a working mum sort out her schedule and not feel so personally burdened to look after her family on her own.
Helen explained how she feels lucky she can have some me time during Strictly. She also opened up how tough it can be as a single mum and shared her own tips for working mothers and insisted delegation is key.
Speaking to Ranvir on ITV's Lorraine today, she said: "Of course I struggle. I lump work into me time. Not everyone does Strictly for their work. For me, lower the standards. My kids don't always go to school in fully ironed school uniforms sometime. Delegate!"
Helen described her work and time on Strictly as perfect "me time" for her, as she admitted she was suffering with painful feet after her routine over the weekend. Helen and her professional dance partner Gorka Marquez impressed with their Paso Doble to Tamacun by Rodrigo y Gabriela. They scored a total of 29 points for their dance, as the dancer heaped praise on Helen.
"Can I just say something? I know you've been having a difficult time, and I know you've been made to feel like you're not beautiful or good enough or anything. But if you don't believe in yourself," he said in chat with Claudia Winkleman after their dance.
"I believe in you. Everybody here believes in you, your family believes in you. It doesn't matter how many times I say it or the judges say it, or anyone says it, it's only you that can make the change and the one who believes in you."
He added: "You are an amazing woman, very inspirational, an amazing mum and an incredible dancer so believe in you please."
The comments came a few days after Helen's ex Richie Myler and his girlfriend Stephanie Thirkill revealed their baby news - just nine months after the Leeds Rhinos rugby ace welcomed a third child with his wife Helen.
A friend of Stephanie's told The Mirror : "She has told me, ‘It’s upsetting that anyone could be judging me when I am so early on in pregnancy. I want to be able to enjoy this time without it being tarnished as I’ve always dreamed of being a mum. I have never meant to cause any upset to Helen but I do feel I’m being painted as some sort of horrible person."
At the time of Richie and Helen's split, the Countryfile star posted a statement online, which read: "Very sad to say that 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."
