Helen Skelton is back in rehearsals and gearing up for Strictly Come Dancing’s musical themed quarter final.
The Countryfile star and her professional dance partner, Gorka Marquez, have made it through to the finals thanks to the public’s votes – and they’re already training for Friday’s show.
This week, the stars will be dancing a couple’s choice to Mein Herr from Cabaret, a popular 1966 musical focused on a romance between a writer and cabaret singer.
The couple’s choice dance was introduced in 2018 and gives the stars freedom away from the traditional dances on the show. It allows the pairs approaching it to choose from one of three new styles that will best show off their celebrity’s moves.
Now into week 11 of the competition, Helen and Gorka spoke with Virgin Radio UK about their morning routine and how long they spend rehearsing each day.
Gorka said: “Everybody is different, so the more we get to know each other, the more we know how to work with each other. With us, we love a coffee and toast which lets us talk about kids and home things and then we leave that all behind and dance.
“We go as long as we can until lunch and then around two or three o’clock you can see her eyes cross and its like oh okay, you need caffeine.”
Helen added that during their morning chats, they regularly speak about how well, or not well, their children have slept the night before.
She said: “Gorka always says how well his child has slept to which I’m like oh well done, my child didn’t sleep well at all, one nil Gorka!”
The duo said they were at their best dancing ability at 10 o’clock in the morning but that they take regular breaks to keep on top.
When asked about her level of fitness, Helen added: “I do feel fit yeah, but it’s a different level of fitness, I’ve never eaten more, Gorka keeps giving me croissants and cakes and stuff.”
The star also shared a sweet snap on Instagram excusing herself from being late to rehearsals due to Strictly’s filming crew being unable to work in her home.
The picture captures the crew playing with Helen’s nearly one-year-old daughter Elsie Kate on the living room floor.
Musicals week, which also doubles as the quarter final, gives the professional dancers and their celebrity couples the chance to perform dances inspired by Broadway and the Westend’s biggest shows.
The professional dancers are challenged to choreograph a performance equipped with relevant costumes and props in order to impress the judges and make it through to this year’s semi-final.
The quarter final will take place this Friday starting at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iplayer.
