Countryfile presenter Helen Skelton has spoken for the first time about competing on Strictly, declaring: “I can’t dance and I feel sick when I hear the theme tune.”
But she does admit to looking forward to getting out of her wellies and into her dancing shoes after being announced as the final contestant.
Helen, 39, was immediately installed as the second favourite to win, at 6/1, behind Fleur East at 7/2, but warned Strictly Come Dancing fans not to expect too much.
She said: “I just wanted to wear nice dresses. I work on farms. I watch cows give birth and stand in wellies.”
Helen, who has sons Ernie, seven, and Louis, five, said: “I can’t decide whether it’s the best or worst thing I have ever agreed to. And I haven’t even started yet.
“I agreed a few days ago… and they ask me, ‘Can I dance’, and I say, ‘No… isn’t the point to go on it to learn to dance’.”
Helen was devastated earlier this year when her husband, Richie Myler, 32, a rugby league player, ended their eight-year marriage.
Shortly after, it was revealed that Richie was in a relationship with Stephanie Thirkill, 32, whose father Andrew is president of the Leeds Rhinos, the team he plays for.
Speaking yesterday, Helen said she could easily juggle being a mum and doing Strictly. She said: “People keep saying, ‘You’ve got kids, how are you going to juggle it?’ Most mums go to work and any mum who gets a chance to go to work and have their make-up done, their tea made and they learn something fun, that’s a gift, isn’t it?
“That’s why I wanted to do it.”
The presenter started her career in children’s television, presenting Newsround and Blue Peter on the BBC.
At Blue Peter, she took on various challenges, completing the Namibia Ultra Marathon, cycling to the South Pole and kayaking 2,018 miles down the Amazon river.
Since then, she has presented Countryfile, ITV ’s Lorraine and On The Farm for Channel 5. She has also worked on major events for BBC Sport, and covered FA Women’s Super League football games and Rugby League Super League matches on Channel 4.
The other Strictly contestants include EastEnder James Bye, singer Fleur East, Ted Lasso star Ellie Taylor, Bros singer Matt Goss, Kiss radio host Tyler West, football legend Tony Adams and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Molly Rainford.
Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds, comic Jayde Adams, Corrie stars Will Mellor and Kym Marsh, Loose Women host Kaye Adams, Radio 2’s Richie Anderson and wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin complete the line-up.
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