Helen Skelton has broken her silence on her crushing Strictly Come Dancing final loss to Hamza Yassin alongside a dejected Gorka Marquez.
The Countryfile star had pushed Hamza and Jowita all the way for the glitterball trophy and when she and Gorka notched up a 40/40 for her final Mein Herr Cabaret couple's choice dance - complete with a gesture for her ex Richie Myler - many thought she'd done it and won it.
Perhaps that's why it has taken almost a full 24 hours since the final was broadcast live before Helen Skelton has been able to return to social media and make a post about what happened.
Read More: Helen Skelton sends message to her ex with final dance
Gorka Marquez, in particular, had looked absolutely broken, with a stony expression of pure dejection on Saturday night's final as he watched Hamza and Jowita lift the trophy live on air. Gorka has now been in three Strictly finals and lost all three.
Tonight, Helen Skelton posted on her Instagram as she told her followers: "What a ride" with a heart emoji and a dancing emoji.
She then added: "CONGRATULATONS" and tagged all the fellow finalists before adding the hashtag #StrictlySpamIncoming, suggesting there could be more from her journey to share in the coming days.
Helen Skelton was then instantly flooded with responses from fellow stars and well wishers. Lisa Snowdon said: "You were incredible! Pure class from the beginning."
Winning pro Jowita Przystal said: "I love you!!!" while journalist Ellie Phillips added: "You are incredible! Hope you're super proud of yourself."
It comes as Gorka Marquez also breaks his silence. In a post minutes before Helen's, he said: "Oh where to start. It has been an incredible journey. I feel so grateful I got not only to dance with you Helen Skelton but also to be by your side and see your transformation from day one.
"Thank you for all the memories, laughs, coffees, toast, parent chats and car journeys.
"Like I said yesterday in the show you're a special person who lights up a room when you walk in and I am so proud you got to smile and shine again.
"I've loved every single moment dancing with you and I am so proud of us until the last dance. You're a star!
"Big congratulations to the BBC Strictly Champions Jowita Przystal and Hamza Yassin, you guys have been amazing the whole series and deserve it.
"Congrats to the other couples in the final it has been a pleasure to share the floor with you guys.
"Thank you to everyone that works in the show from production, dance team, cameras, wardrobe, hair and makeup, you guys are legends and I am so grateful to be part of the best show in telly.
"And to all of you guys! The biggest THANK YOU, because without you we wouldn't be here and your lovely messages of support mean the world.
"Strictly 23 let's go!! In the meantime, keep dancing."
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