Helen Skelton was 'battle-hardened' by her break-up before 'Strictly Come Dancing'
Watch: Helen Skelton performs paso doble on Strictly Come Dancing
Helen Skelton says she was "in the best place" to do Strictly Come Dancing before the show began this year, having been left "battle-hardened" by her recent break-up.
The 39-year-old Countryfile presenter split from rugby player husband Richie Myler earlier this year after eight years of marriage.
Read more: Helen Skelton admits struggles of being a single parent
She told The Sun this week that being a part of Strictly Come Dancing with professional dance partner Gorka Marquez has been a form of "therapy" at this turbulent time in her life.
"I came into this show quite battle-hardened. Strictly is probably quite overwhelming for a lot of people but for me, weirdly, I was actually in the best place to be in it," said Skelton.
She added: “Other people were worried about all the attention that comes with being on Strictly, or baring their souls on the telly, whereas I was ready for that."
Skelton said it's not just her who's benefiting from her time in the ballroom, with her family enjoying seeing her in a happier mood than she has been this year.
Read more: Helen Skelton says she has made "lifetime of memories" on Strictly
She added: “I love that my family are having a great time through me. And I am having a great time too. We are all talking about Strictly now, and that’s what I love."
Skelton had previously said that her family were a key reason for her finally saying yes to Strictly, having turned the show down on numerous occasions.
Skelton also addressed the controversial moment on the Strictly Come Dancing live show in which Marquez mounted a passionate defence of Skelton, commenting on her break-up.
She said: “What I love about Gorka is that he has my very best interests at heart, and we are genuinely very good friends.
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“But sometimes, maybe, we need to talk about what he’s allowed to say publicly."
Skelton and Marquez are due to perform a Jive routine on this weekend's episode of Strictly Come Dancing to Tightrope by Janelle Monáe.
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