Helen Skelton has been on a right ol’ ride this series (Picture: Instagram)
Of course, Helen Skelton would love to lift the Strictly Come Dancing glitter ball in this weekend’s final – but she already feels like a winner.
The Countryfile presenter, 39, signed up for the glitzy BBC dance show to really push herself following a turbulent time at home.
Mum-of-three Helen announced her split from husband Richie Myler back in April, with the sporting star now in a new relationship of his own.
Strictly viewers have been loving watching Helen grow as a person throughout the competition, and her family also note that she’s a ‘different person’ to the one she started as in the launch show.
Appearing on the final It Takes Two of the series with pro partner Gorka Marquez, Helen became incredibly emotional after watching a compilation of video messages from her family.
Her supportive sister praised her for being ‘fierce’ and ‘confident’, particularly in her couple’s choice dance – which many have hailed a ‘revenge routine’ following her marriage split.
The TV presenter’s sister was full of praise for her Strictly journey (Picture: BBC)
Helen’s parents love how she’s grown in confidence (Picture: BBC)
‘I love to see that side of her,’ said her sibling, before her parents chimed in: ‘I think the thing for us is how she’s progressed and we can see a different Helen now.
‘The woman she was at the start and the woman she is now are miles apart.’
‘This year’s been a tough one, but to see Helen happy makes us all happy and she’s an inspiration,’ added her sister, in a subtle reference to Helen’s relationship breakdown.
Helen struggled to hold back her tears (Picture: BBC)
Pro Gorka Marquez became emotional as she said she feels like she’s ‘already won’ (Picture: BBC)
When asked by hosts Rylan Clark and Janette Manrara what it would mean to be crowned Strictly champs this weekend, Helen gave a gracious answer.
‘We would love to lift that trophy but I feel like we’ve already won it,’ she began.
‘We’ve had such an adventure and you’re [Gorka] a credit to the show, you’re a credit to your family.
‘I think we have had the highs, the lows, and everything in between, and this is just a reminder for us to feel the fear and do it anyway! Stretch yourself, test yourself, and see what happens!
Helen and Gorka will bring back their iconic couple’s choice routine for the final (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)
‘And if you surround yourself with good people, wonderful things happen.’
As the TV star have her loving speech, Spanish professional Gorka wiped tears from his eyes, as he prepares to compete in his third Strictly final since joining the show.
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Now, just three dances stand between the duo and potentially lifting the coveted trophy, with their competition consisting of Hamza Yassin, Molly Rainford, and Fleur East.
Helen will perform the jive to Tightrope by Janelle Monae at the request of the judges, before reviving their iconic couple’s choice routine to Mein Herr by Liza Minnelli from Cabaret, and finally a show dance to Shine by Emeli Sande.
The Strictly Come Dancing 2022 final airs Saturday at 7:15pm on BBC One.
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Helen has had an amazing journey.
