THINK POSITIVE 'I HAVE DOWN DAYS BUT THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEONE WORSE OFF'

PRESENTER AND STRICTLY STAR HELEN SKELTON TALKS TO OK! ABOUT HER TIME ON THE SHOW AND HOW SHE PRIORITISES HER MENTAL HEALTH

Helen Skelton has reason to celebrate when we catch up with her on an otherwise dreary Wednesday morning.

The BBC Radio 5 Live and Channel 5’s On The Farm presenter, 39, and her Strictly partner Gorka Márquez, 32, were lucky enough to dance in the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom at the weekend. As well as being a huge milestone for the pair, who are two months into their Strictly journey, the performance had a special meaning for Helen – who was born in Cumbria and would holiday in the seaside town with her family.

“As I’m from the north west, I spent my childhood October holidays at Blackpool illuminations, going to the penny slots and playing on the Donkey Derby,” recalls Helen, full of nostalgia. “I did [Strictly] for my family and Blackpool is a massive thing for them. Yes, it’s a huge privilege for our ballroom dancing and what that means, but actually it was a nice weekend for my family.”

The former Blue Peter presenter, who once kayaked solo down the Amazon and cycled to the South Pole, is talking to us today due to her latest collaboration with GO Outdoors and Mind, the mental health charity. She is resiliently positive about all aspects of life and is the kind of woman you’d want by your side to help pull you out of a tough spot.

“I’ve always seen my mind as a muscle – if you look after it, it will look after you,” she says. “People ask me if my glass is half full or half empty, and I say, “I’ve got a glass