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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Rose Hill

Helen Skelton braves live TV appearance just hours after estranged husband's baby news

Helen Skelton bravely broke cover on It Takes Two tonight just hours after reports broke that her estranged husband is expecting a baby with his new girlfriend, six months after their split.

The former Blue Peter presenter, 39, appeared on the Strictly spin-off show with professional partner Gorka Marquez to speak about their time on the show last Saturday and their upcoming dance.

Smiling, she shared her excitement over her highest scores so far from Movie Week, joking: "It was just nice to get an 8 and not a 5 from Craig!"

Next Saturday, however, Helen will be putting on a sterner persona as she takes on the Paso Doble.

"I spend most of my life smiling and cheery and this is a contrast," she said.

Helen Skelton made a brave appearance on Strictly's It Takes Two tonight (BBC)

It comes after Helen was spotted fighting back the tears as she headed back to her hotel after Saturday's Strictly Come Dancing live show.

It has been reported, Helen was made aware her rugby player ex Richie Myler, 32, was expecting a baby with his partner Stephanie Thirkill before it was announced in a social media post on Steph's private Instagram account.

Helen has been throwing herself into Strictly with dance partner Gorka Marquez after a tough year, which saw the TV star announce in April the breakdown of her eight-year marriage, just four months after their daughter Elsie was born.

Biting her lip and clutching her hand to her face, Helen, who has three children with Richie, looked like she was struggling to hold back her emotions as she chatted to Ellie Taylor, who seemed to be consoling her.

Helen with estranged husband Richie Myler (Manchester Evening News)
Helen is busy on Strictly with partner Gorka (PA)

Clad in green gym wear, Helen was also pictured wiping away a tear as she stood in reception.

It's been reported rugby player Richie and Stephanie, who is the daughter the owner of Leeds Rhinos rugby club Richie plays for, are "thrilled" to be expecting a baby together.

Helen, meanwhile, is said to be maintaining a "cordial relation" with her estranged husband for the sake of their three children.

Helen's ex Richie with new girlfriend Stephanie Thirkill (Instagram)

A mate of Richie's told The Sun : “The timing of the pregnancy may raise a few eyebrows though. It is obviously such a huge step, and one made remarkably quickly off the back of Helen and Richie’s eight-year marriage ending.

"But Richie and Helen maintain cordial relations, and in a way the timing is actually perfect as Helen is so happy at the moment," they said.

The pal added: "She is loving every second of Strictly Come Dancing, and is far too busy — and probably knackered — to be worrying about her ex, accordingly, Richie didn’t think it would be a huge problem because they have both moved on with their lives."

The Mirror has approached Helen and Richie's representatives for comment.

*Strictly: It Takes Two airs weekdays at 6.30pm on BBC Two

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