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Zoe Delaney & Monde Mwitumwa

Strictly Come Dancing's Helen Skelton admits she needs time alone after life-changing year

Strictly Come Dancing’s Helen Skelton has revealed that she has ‘down days and ‘mum guilt’ as she competes on the BBC show.

The 39-year-old has had a year of many changes and has opened up about her mental health and how she processes tougher moments. Helen admitted that she handles the lows with the highs with a positive attitude as she comes to the end of a life-changing year in both her personal and professional life.

Helen is tipped to make it all the way to the Strictly final with professional dancer partner Gorka Márquez next month. That achievement that would see the former Blue Peter presenter finish her 2022 on a high note.

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In April this year, the Countryfile star was left devastated when her husband Richie Myler left their family home just months on from Helen giving birth to their third child in December 2021, The Mirror reports. The 32-year-old rugby player is expecting his first baby with new girlfriend Stephanie Thirkill- the multi-millionaire president of Leeds Rhinos.

As Helen teams up with Mind to support people experiencing mental health problems ahead of what’s shaping up to be an incredibly difficult winter, the mum-of-three has shared how she copes during tougher time. She said: "I’ve always seen my mind as a muscle – if you look after it, it will look after you. People ask me if my glass is half full or half empty, and I say, 'I’ve got a glass haven’t I?'"

Helen Skelton and her partner Gorka Marquez on Strictly Come Dancing (PA)

Last month, Helen appeared on Lorraine to offer advice to fellow mums about how to juggle a work-life balance and avoid feeling guilty when you spend some time away from your children. Since splitting from estranged husband Richie earlier this year, the TV star has been raising her three young children alone in addition to appearing on one of the country's biggest shows.

Helen explained how she 'switches off' when she needs some time alone and stressed the importance of 'snatching 10 minutes here and there' for yourself. She said: "My best friend called me after she had a baby to ask why no one told her about 'mum guilt'.

"It's normal, it's common and it's across the broad," Helen continued. "If you can snatch 10 or 15 minutes here and there, you will benefit and your kids will too."

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