Entertainment
Strictly Come Dancing pro Gorka Marquez urges Helen Skelton to believe in herself after ‘being made to feel like she’s not beautiful’ in ‘difficult’ recent weeks-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro
We all need a Gorka in our lives.
Viewers praised Gorka for the ‘lovely’ speech after a tough time for Helen lately (Picture: BBC/Instagram)
Helen Skelton is definitely partnered with a good egg on Strictly Come Dancing this year, as Gorka Marquez is always there to be her cheerleader.
The former Blue Peter presenter scored 29 points for her paso doble in week four, with the judges comments urging Helen to have some more self-belief.
She well and truly gave the Spanish-themed performance to Tamacun by Rodrigo y Gabriela her all, but Shirley Ballas reckons the Countryfile star is ‘better’ than she realises.
Luckily, Gorka – whose previous partners included Katie McGlynn and Alexandra Burke – is on hand for moral support, noting that Helen has had a ‘difficult few weeks.’
Her appearance on Strictly comes after she split from ex-husband Richie Myler, with whom she shares three young children.
Helen confirmed their separation with a statement in April, and it has since been reported that Richie and his new girlfriend are expecting a baby.
Helen and Gorka smashed their paso doble (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)
Following their performance this weekend and the judges’ comments, Gorka began: ‘Can I just say something? I know you [Helen] have been having a difficult time and I know you’ve been made to feel like you’re not beautiful or good enough or anything, but if you don’t believe in yourself, I believe in you.’
‘Everybody here believes in you, your family believes in you,’ he added sweetly, with the audience bursting into applause and cheers.
He continued: ‘It doesn’t matter how many times I say it or the judges say it, you are the one who needs to make the change and believe in you, because you are a very inspirational woman and amazing mum and a brilliant dancer.’
Helen and her husband Richie Myler split earlier this year after eight years of marriage and three children (Picture: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)
Helen became visibly emotional, clearly not expecting her partner to give such a lovely speech.
Viewers at home also noted how caring the gesture was, with many believing his comments could have been a ‘dig’ at Helen’s ex.
‘Gorka sticking up for Helen was everything,’ one person tweeted, with a follower agreeing: ‘All of us single mums need a Gorka when we are at a low.’
Another penned: ‘Gorka looked annoyed and we realise it’s not at Helen. It’s at those trying to tear her down. It’s so hard to pick yourself up. Loved what Gorka said. We believe in you Helen.’
‘Lovely words from Gorka. Helen is amazing. She deserves to be told she is,’ praised a third.
Strictly fans were also left largely unimpressed, though, after the judges revealed their scores, claiming their performance was ‘incredible’ and ‘under-marked.’
The Countryfile presenter has certainly got herself the best dance partner (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
Amid their feedback from the panel, Craig Revel Horwood told the pair that the dance seemed ‘too polite’ and he wanted it to have ‘more power’ and ‘passion.’ But, he hailed it ‘fantastic’ nonetheless.
Meanwhile, head judge Shirley added: ‘I think you’re a lot better than you realise.’
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Helen and Gorka will be hoping they’ve done enough to survive the dreaded dance-off, as their score placed them in the middle of the leaderboard.
Securing the top spot this week was Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystał, who scored a mega 39, closely followed by Fleur East and Vito Coppola’s fiery Argentine tango, which earned them 38.
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday and Sunday on BBC One.
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