Helen Skelton is jumping for joy as her rehearsals begin for Strictly’s Blackpool special.
The Countryfile star’s professional dance partner Gorka Marquez, took to Instagram today to share a high-energy clip of the duo celebrating getting through to the show’s last special episode before the finals start.
In the video, Gorka said: “It’s Monday, we’re back in the studio, it feels like we haven’t left! Where are we going? Blackpool!”
Helen can be seen dancing and jumping up and down in the background, while chanting ‘Blackpool’ with Gorka and members of the filming and production crew.
Speaking on her own Instagram account, Helen added: “I think it’s been a successful first day, it happened, the routine is there, the dance is there, it’s going to be a good week. Positive mental attitude!”
Gorka playfully added that he wasn’t sure if the pair were more excited for their upcoming dance or to visit some of Blackpool’s rollercoasters.
Helen and Gorka’s salsa was praised by the judges – Shirley and Craig said Helen had to work on her ‘spotting’ – keeping eye contact with Gorka – and Motsi said she looked a bit nervous when she danced with Gorka, but her solo pieces were ‘out of this world’.
Post-dance, Helen thanked her fans on Twitter and said: “We had such a great time. Thanks for your messages and for keeping us in so far.”
In response to fellow dancer and friend Tony Adams withdrawing from the show last week, Helen took to Instagram to praise the football star.
She said: “This one…of all the things I didn’t expect to happen on this Strictly journey was that I would have a weekly debrief/chat/parenting debate/rugby discussion with Tony. Thank you for your friendship and thank you for entertaining us in every way.”
Helen and Gorka are now past the halfway point on the show, and have to get through four more dances to reach the grand final.
Opening up in her column for The Telegraph, the star revealed the sweet gestures from Gorka helping her get through rehearsals.
She said: “Gorka brings me a coffee at the start of our training sessions and writes on the paper cup, ‘You’re brilliant, you’ve got this!’, so I begin each day in the best possible frame of mind.”
Alongside her busy Strictly schedule, the Countryfile presenter has also been promoting a new campaign encouraging people to get outdoors to support their mental health in partnership with mental health charity Mind and Go Outdoors.
The star created her own hat alongside Julia Bradbury, David Seaman and Sean Fletcher, from which 100 per cent of the profits go to the Mind charity.
