The University of Cumbria have wished Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez good luck ahead of their next Strictly live show.
Graduates, students, honorary fellows and staff were featured sending the stars video messages of support on the university’s Instagram account.
Helen, who is a graduate and honorary fellow of the university, has only one more live show to get through to make it into the quarter final.
In the video, deputy vice chancellor Professor Brian Webster-Henderson said: “Helen and Gorka, on behalf of the University of Cumbria good luck, we are all behind you and rooting for you to win, do well.”
The former Blue Peter presenter, who was raised in Appleby, is still currently a favourite to win the competition, with bookies odds sat at 4/1.
Mally Chung, alumni and honorary fellow for his work as a top film and TV location manager bringing films such as Star Wars to Cumbria, said: “I’ve been watching you avidly, come on Helen, I’ve got a bet on you actually to win so don’t let me down please!”
Brian Higgins, the award winning Cumbrian record producer and songwriter responsible for hits such as Cher’s Believe and Girls Aloud’s Sound of the Underground, who is now an honorary fellow of the university, also wished the star good luck.
He said: “Hey there Helen and Gorka, Helen from one Cumbrian to another, smash it at Strictly, I hope you win.”
Last week, the duo’s Blackpool quickstep landed them an impressive score of 39, placing them second on the leader board and wowing the judges.
University choir member, Megan Reay added: “Helen and Gorka, I saw you at Blackpool and it was so amazing and I cant wait to see you at the final so good luck guys!”
In 2004, Helen graduated from the university with a first class honours degree in journalism and was made an honorary fellow in 2011 in recognition of her contribution to broadcasting, the Cumbrian community and her charitable work.
Post-university, Helen’s broadcasting career began at ITV Border, CFM commercial radio and BBC Radio Cumbria.
In 2008, Helen went on to join the Blue Peter team as the show’s 33rd presenter. During her time presenting, she achieved several feats of endurance to raise money for charity including the Namibia Ultra Marathon, kayaking down the Amazon, and high-wire walking between the towers of Battersea Power Station.Â
In 2012, she also walked, cycled and kite skied to the South Pole. She now regularly presents BBC One’s Countryfile, fronts a range of factual programmes for ITV and Channel Five and can be heard on her radio show, Radio 5Live.
Helen has also written several children’s books, contributes to magazine titles and writes a weekly column for The Telegraph.
