Gorka Márquez pays tribute to ‘happier’ Helen Skelton

Strictly: Helen Skelton says her kids were embarrassed by dance

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Countryfile star Helen has referred to her confidence growth since being on the show following a tough personal year. And her transformation hasn’t gone unnoticed by her Strictly Come Dancing partner Gorka, who noted she is “happier and smilier” than she was when he met her. Speaking to Express.co.uk and other media, the couple discussed their journey so far and what it would mean to win.

Saturday night will see each couple performing three dances: one routine they have chosen themselves, a second the judges would like to see again and lastly, their show dance.

Explaining what the latter is going to be like for her, Helen joked: “It’s very, very, very quick!”

Gorka agreed: “It’s a fast one but I also think we look back to Helen’s dances, the ones that are fast and cheeky and playful are her favourite.

“Like the Jive, the Charleston [and] the Quickstep. So this is the style.”

Paying tribute to his time with Helen as his partner in the glitzy competition, the Spanish dancer continued: “And the story behind it is just a celebration, and a thank you to everybody who supports us on the journey.

“It’s Helen’s journey from day one to now.”

Turning to the presenter, he smiled: “Remember on day one you had to walk down the stairs and you said, ‘I don’t know if I’ll be able to do it on my own?’

“And now she’s just happier, smilier and more confident that she can do it.

“It’s just a celebration of our journey together.”

Recalling the moment, Helen laughed: “I kept saying, ‘Why do you keep making me walk on my own?

“‘Nobody else has to walk on their own!’ Now I’m like, ‘Yeah, that’s fine!'”

Helen has managed to avoid the dance-off throughout her Strictly journey. She described the feat as “a massive compliment”.

However, frustratingly her highest score has been 39 as she has narrowly avoided full marks.

Reflecting on this, the 39-year-old admitted: “I would love to get a 40.

“But at the same time, wholeheartedly, I feel like we’ve had our 40, do you know what I mean?

“I take on board what the judges say and I have a lot of respect for all of them.

“But actually, the thing for me that is getting a 40 is getting it up to Claudia’s [Winkleman] area, seeing you (Gorka) so happy but also Luba [Mushtuk], Katya [Jones] and all of them going crazy!

“When you get scored it’s like, ‘thank you, but that reaction is worth 60, 70, 80 for me!”

Joking about taking Groka back to the farm for her Countryfile duties, Helen commented: “Are you kidding?

“He liked it more than me on the farm! When he saw all the animals…

“He wanted to ride the horse I was like, ‘No I need you for a couple of weeks! Break your leg in your own time mate!'”

Strictly Come Dancing continues with the final on Saturday at 7.05pm on BBC One.

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