Helen Skelton breaks down in tears ahead of her Strictly debut

‘I literally ran’: Helen Skelton reveals she broke down in tears and escaped through a fire exit ahead of her Strictly Come Dancing debut

Helen Skelton revealed she broke down in tears ahead of appearing on Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night. 

The presenter, 39,  who is partnered with Gorka Marquez, admitted she tried to escape before making her debut on the dancefloor during the first live show of the series. 

Helen admitted she was relieved there was a fire exit nearby after remembering she has to dance weekly in front of a live audience. 

‘I had a little cry’: Helen Skelton revealed she broke down in tears ahead of appearing on Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday

She revealed her nerves while reflecting on her first show on Radio 5 Live on Sunday: ‘I had a little cry. I’m normally cool, calm and collected,’ she told listeners.

‘I got on the dance floor and they said, “When the audience come in…” and I went, “Oh crikey, yeah, there’s people. I was like, “There’s a fire door, there, I can get out of it,” and I did.

‘Gorka found me and said, “What are you doing?” I said, “Just having a minute.” I literally ran. It was like when I did Celeb SAS, I tried to escape that.’

‘I literally ran’: The presenter, 39, who is partnered with Gorka Marquez, admitted she tried to escape before making her debut

Wow: Helen admitted she was relieved there was a fire exit nearby after remembering she has to dance weekly in front of a live audience

Helen went on to tell listeners that she is already used to the lack of personal space due to having two children. 

She said: ‘I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but it’s very weird. Personal space? You wave goodbye to that. Boundaries are non-existent.

‘You walk in and they go, “Do you want a fake tan?” Before you know it you’re naked with a load of people spraying you.’

‘Before you know it you’re naked’: Helen went on to tell listeners that she is already used to the lack of personal space due to having two children

The Countryfile host kicked off Strictly first live show of 2022 in style scoring an amazing 26 points. 

The former Blue Peter star took to the floor with Gorka Marquez to perform a American Smooth to You Send Me by Aretha Franklin.

And despite her protests that she lacked elegance, Craig was quick to reassure her, telling her: ‘ Love the energy and you do have elegance, darling.’

While Anton gushed: ‘Brilliant line, when you do lines it’s gorgeous. Own it! Own the dance, Just believe in yourself a little bit more because when you do, it’s brilliant.’

Amazing: The Countryfile host kicked off Strictly first live show of 2022 in style scoring an amazing 26 points

Shirley also praised the presenter, explaining: ‘You weren’t too fast, you weren’t too slow. The beginning was divine, the arms were love. Well done.’

Helen took to her Instagram account after the show to share a gushing message about Gorka. 

She penned: ‘Credit where it’s due … this one deserves kudos for not only getting me around the dance floor …. But on it in the first place.

‘Grateful Mr M. You’re a master at your craft and a belter of a pal. To all the families holding down the fort behind the scenes…. We are grateful. 

‘Pretty sure I will owe my parents Christmas in the Caribbean by time this is over ❤️’

So sweet: The former Blue Peter star took to the floor with Gorka Marquez to perform a American Smooth to You Send Me by Aretha Franklin

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