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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Susan Knox

Strictly's Helen Skelton risks major favouritism row ahead of Musicals Week

Strictly Come Dancing star Helen Skelton could potentially find herself caught up in a favouritism storm ahead of Saturday night's themed show which is musicals.

All the couples left in the competition with battle it out by performing routines to their favourite musical songs.

However, it emerged this week that Countryfile star Helen, 39, had actually starred on the West End before this weekend's theme.

Helen and her professional partner Gorka Marquez's will do a couple's choice - meaning they do not have to do a traditional dance this time - to Mein Herr from Cabaret.

Lifting the lid on their dance, Helen shared: "I was once made to sing Bohemian Rhapsody in We Will Rock You. It was the most mortifying moment of my entire life. When it went out on TV I was so physically embarrassed I crawled under the desk into a ball.

Countryfile star Helen, 39, had actually starred on the West End before this weekend's theme (PA)

“I loved appearing on the West End stage, although I do feel a bit sorry for the audiences.”

Opening up about her dream role, Helen revealed: “It would be sassy, ballsy Belle from Beauty And The Beast. She takes on the Beast for crying out loud, and you get to dance with a teacup.”

Because Helen has had previous West End experience, it could lean in her favour - something which may annoy avid Strictly fans.

Helen is set to do a couple's choice dance to Mein Herr from Cabaret (BBC)

It comes after Helen opened up about her emotional months on the BBC One ballroom dancing show after she broke down in tears before her performance on Sunday.

The Countryfile star told viewers she feels like a ‘different person’ on the show following a difficult few months, which saw her split from her husband Richie Myler earlier this year.

Helen made the admission in the VT which aired before she took to the floor to perform her Samba with her pro partner Gorka Marquez.

During an appearance on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two, the TV presenter again touched on the VT which aired ahead of her performance at the Blackpool Tower last week.

Helen broke down in tears last Saturday (BBC)

Host Janette Manrara asked Helen what her stint on Strictly has meant to her, acknowledging it had been an ‘emotional few months’ in her life.

Helen replied: “I came into this and I underestimated it, because I thought, ‘It’s dancing and nice dresses and interesting people’.

“But it’s weird, it's so much more than that. It makes you ask questions of yourself that you don’t ask.

The Strictly star has West End experience under her belt (PA)
Helen split with Richie earlier this year (WireImage)

“I’m a 39-year-old woman with three kids and you do your job and your relationships and your house and your career and all of that – and you don’t really just challenge yourself and find joy in yourself. So it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions that I didn't expect.”

“I definitely am a different person from when we started."

The upcoming live show will see the remaining six celebrities battle for the top spot on the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard after Ellie Taylor became the latest star to be eliminated from the competition.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Friday at 7:15pm on BBC One.

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