I practise my Strictly Come Dancing steps whenever I’m up at night with the baby, says Helen Skelton

Helen Skelton has revealed how life as a single mother means she has to learn her Strictly Come Dancing steps while up with her baby in the middle of the night. 

The TV star, left heartbroken when her husband Richie Myler walked out on her and their three children six months ago, has spoken for the first time of how she is coping while trying to win the BBC One dance show’s glitterball trophy. 

Asked how she juggles Strictly with life as a single mother to Ernie, six, Louis, five, and nine-month-old Elsie, she said: ‘Sometimes if I’m up in the night with the baby, you feel your feet doing the steps or just reminding yourself or reassuring yourself that you know how to do it. 

‘So some weeks are better than others.’ 

She and her children have moved from their home in Leeds to her parents’ house in Cumbria so they can help with childcare while she is taking part in the show. 

Ms Skelton said: ‘This is the easiest parenting time of my life because my parents are on hand all the time. They’re doing loads for me. 

‘I’m pretty sure that grandparents keep this economy running. My mum’s doing all the heavy lifting. She’s getting the school uniforms ready, making sure that the homework is out, and I get to do all the fun bits and all the mum bits like taking them to football and taking them to swimming and all of that. 

‘For me – yes of course, anybody who’s working – it’s a juggle.’ 

Ms Skelton, 39, garnered the sympathy of the nation when rugby player Myler left her for Stephanie Thirkill in April after eight years of marriage. 

The pair are now expecting their first child. 

The Countryfile presenter admits that initially she would have preferred to ‘jump out of a plane’ than take part in Strictly, but decided she wanted to show those close to her she could put a smile on her face after her heartache. 

Helen revealed she practices her steps if she is up at night with nine-month-old daughter Elsie

Now she says the show is bringing her ‘positivity and good vibes’. 

Her dance partner Gorka Marquez is helping, she admits. 

‘He definitely knows how to get the best out of me,’ said Ms Skelton. ‘I can get it wrong and he just puts up with me. I think because he’s a dad he’s got patience, so he just smiles and goes, “One more time”.’ 

The pair have repeatedly been photographed giggling together and hugging, although Ms Skelton is quick to insist that she knows Marquez’s fiancee, former Strictly contestant Gemma Atkinson. 

It’s undeniable that Ms Skelton, who last night danced to the theme tune of Blue Peter – the show that first catapulted her to fame – has an ever-growing fan base. 

Helen, with dance partner Gorka Marquez, says the show is bringing ‘positivity and good vibes’

But does she think she’s sexy? 

‘Oh no, it doesn’t come naturally – that makes me cringe,’ she said. ‘I think a lot of women are probably like me. You don’t necessarily walk into a room and go, “Hey, look at me!” 

‘The glam team and wardrobe team [on Strictly] are incredible. The girls are just amazing, so talented.’