NO TIME FOR COLD FEET

As this year's Strictly hopefuls step it up, new looks at what has been happening on and off the dance floor

- RHONA MERCER

Helen Skelton may have had her confidence shaken due to her marriage split, but she showed dazzling form on the opening show and pro partner Gorka Marquez is urging her to believe she can do it”.

The Countryfile presenter, 39, was devastated earlier this year when her husband of eight years, Richie Myler, ended their relationship. Then, in the week Helen made her Strictly debut, her rugby league player ex referred to his new girlfriend as his family”.

Luckily, Helen who is mum to Ernie, seven, Louis, five, and 10-month-old Elsie has Gorka’s support as she tries to get back to the old Helen”.

The 32-year-old said of Helen’s dancing, I think she's great but she needs to believe. know her confidence at the moment isn’t great but she needs to believe in herself and believe she can do it.

“I think she has a lot of potential and she’s a beautiful dancer. believe in her as well.”

Meanwhile, a show source told us, Helen's confidence has been knocked to shreds but Gorka knows she has the ability to win. She needs to learn to believe in herself and Gorka is helping her to feel that.

“A lot of the other stars think she’s going to win this, too.”

It was after the first live performance in which Helen and Gorka danced the American Smooth that Richie, 32, made the post about his new family” on Instagram.

He shared a picture of himself and new girlfriend Stephanie Thirkhill with her dad, Andrew, who is president of his rugby team Leeds Rhinos, along with a love heart.

However, while Helen will understandably have been hurt by this public declaration, she knows she has the backing of her Strictly family. Eagle-eyed viewers will have spotted her holding hands with fellow contestant Kaye Adams on the studio balcony and she has also become friendly with Fleur East.