Helen Skelton reveals she joined Strictly at the ‘best’ time

‘I came into this show quite battle-hardened’: Helen Skelton reveals she joined Strictly at the ‘best’ time – after her eight-year marriage to Richie Myler ended

Helen Skelton has opened up about how the end of her eight-year marriage to Richie Myler left her ‘battle-hardened’.

The television presenter, 39, claimed it was the ‘best’ time for her to join Strictly Come Dancing.

She told The Sun she had previously been approached but turned down the opportunity, but said it’s ‘the most brilliant thing to be a part of’. 

Tough: Helen Skelton has opened up about how the end of her eight-year marriage to Richie Myler left her ‘battle-hardened’

Helen explained: ‘I came into this show quite battle-hardened.

‘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.

The Countryfile star then explained she needs to ‘exercise her brain’ to keep her head in check which is what Strictly is doing for her. 

Moving on: The television presenter, 39, claimed it was the 'best' time for her to join Strictly Come Dancing

Moving on: The television presenter, 39, claimed it was the ‘best’ time for her to join Strictly Come Dancing

It comes after it was reported Helen’s estranged husband Richie is expecting a child with his new girlfriend Stephanie, six months after he split from Helen.

Richie ended his eight-year marriage to Countryfile host Helen back in April, just four months after she gave birth to their third child.

He is now expecting a baby with new girlfriend Stephanie, 32, who he was first reported to be seeing just days after his split from Helen was revealed.

The former couple are maintaining ‘cordial relations’ and Helen was reportedly told of the news before Stephanie announced it publicly on social media.  

A source told The Sun that Stephanie and Richie are ‘thrilled’ to be expecting their first child, just six months after their relationship came to light.  

They added: ‘Stephanie and Richie are obviously thrilled. They have moved very quickly but are extremely happy together.

Baby on the way! Helen's estranged husband Richie Myler, pictured second from left, is reportedly expecting a child with his new girlfriend Stephanie Thirkill, centre

Baby on the way! Helen’s estranged husband Richie Myler, pictured second from left, is reportedly expecting a child with his new girlfriend Stephanie Thirkill, centre

‘The timing of the pregnancy may raise a few eyebrows though. It is obviously such a huge step, and one made remarkably quickly off the back of Helen and Richie’s eight-year marriage ending.

‘But Richie and Helen maintain cordial relations, and in a way the timing is actually perfect as Helen is so happy at the moment.’

The source added that Helen is ‘far too busy’ focusing on her training and rehearsals for Strictly.

Richie has two young sons Ernie, seven, Louis, five, and daughter Elsie Kate, nine months, with his estranged wife Helen.  

His relationship with Stephanie came to light in May, days after it was announced that his eight-year marriage to Helen was over.

Helen was said to feel ‘bewildered’ by the breakdown of her marriage, with a source close to the couple telling MailOnline: ‘Helen is absolutely devastated.’

They continued: ‘Now she is contemplating life without him while he has moved on with his new partner.’

Family: The news came as Helen posted a sweet picture with her three kids watching TV together on Wednesday night as she ignored the latest drama with her ex

Family: The news came as Helen posted a sweet picture with her three kids watching TV together on Wednesday night as she ignored the latest drama with her ex

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