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Simon Duke

Helen Skelton's Strictly 'message' to her ex noticed by fans as she wows with defiant performance

Strictly Come Dancing fans are convinced that Helen Skelton sent a message to her ex Richie Myler as she lit up the ballroom with a defiant performance in Friday night's quarter final.

Helen and rugby player ex husband Richie hit headlines when their marriage broke down earlier this year, months after the birth of the youngest of their three children. While Helen has never spoken about her relationship on Strictly, she has openly admitted to massively struggling with her confidence in the early days of her time on the BBC show, with things getting to her so much that she fled rehearsals through a fire exit in the run up to the first live show.

A few weeks into her Strictly journey, Helen really seemed to turn a corner, after pro partner Gorka Marquez gave a very public display of support for her and the tough time she's had, urging her to believe in herself more and calling an "amazing mum, an amazing woman and an amazing dancer." Since then she has been a constant near the top of the leaderboard, and on Friday night, equalled their personal best score of 39 out of 40 with their Couple's Choice routine.

READ MORE: When are Strictly results on this week? BBC move show for World Cup coverage

Helen and Gorka are second favourite to win Strictly this year and did their hopes of victory no harm with their dance to Mein Herr from Cabaret. The performance and the song itself are packed full of power and sass and Strictly viewers watching at home said it was like the dance equivalent of Helen giving 'the middle finger to her ex.'

One fan tweeted: "Helen and Gorka WOW! And we all got the not so hidden message to her ex. Helen to win!" with another reacting: "Helen has good will on her side, she's sent a clear message to her ex Husband tonight in her Dance and is finally more confident after weeks of holding back confidence/performance wise IMO."

Prior to the performance on Friday, Helen chatted about why she she signed up for Strictly in a VT and said: "I did Strictly this year because...sometimes you just need to jump on the opportunity and chance to put a big smile on your face."

Who do you want to win Strictly? Let us know in our poll below:

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*Johannes Radebe 'the start' of Strictly quarter final after emotional exit

*Oti Mabuse back on Strictly in new role as fans delighted

*Helen Skelton championed over 'honest' reason for doing Strictly

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