Helen Skelton is ‘grateful’ for her ‘hands on’ parents as she juggles life as a single parent

Helen Skelton praised her “amazing hands-on” parents as she continues to juggle life as a single parent after husband Richie Myler moved out of the family home

The 39-year-old Countryfile presenter said ‘grandparents keep the economy going’ as she talked about how ‘easy’ they have made her life.

The mother-of-three moved back in with her parents Richard and Janet last month as she navigates parenthood, work and Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals.

Helen is mother to sons Louis, seven, Ernie, five, and daughter Elsie, eleven months, who she shares with her professional rugby player, Richie.

The Strictly star told Closer magazine how she “does all the fun stuff” with her kids while her parents take on the practical side.

She said, ‘My parents are great. It’s the easiest parenting time of my life because they are always on hand and do a lot for me. I’m pretty sure grandparents keep this economy going!”

‘My mother prepares the school uniform and makes sure that the homework is done. While I get to do all the fun things like take them to soccer and swimming and stuff. So it’s juggling, but in the end I feel like I’m really lucky.

“I’m really grateful that my parents do all the hard work there and that I get to do all the fun things.”

Helen took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a sweet photo of her son Ernie’s schoolwork, in which he calls her his “favorite author.”

The seven-year-old was asked to name his favorite author and book and along with writing her name, Ernie said Helen’s books Wild Girl and Amy Wild were his favorite books she’d written.

The first book is a guide to outdoor fun and the second a fictional book written by Helen about an adventurous girl.

Asked to name three facts about Helen, Ernie sweetly wrote, “She’s brave. She’s my mom. She’s been all over the world.”

Clearly touched by her son’s tribute, Helen shared some of the work on her Instagram Stories, along with the caption, “When you’re a parent who works. I see you. We’re fine. They are proud of us. She first. Always.’

Helen split from husband Richie in April, just weeks after the birth of their third child, and the rugby star is now expecting a baby with new girlfriend Stephanie Thirkill.

It was first reported that Richie was seeing 32-year-old Stephanie just days after he split from Helen.

But even after the split, the former couple maintain “cordial relations” and Helen was reportedly apprised of the news before Stephanie publicly announced it on social media.

Showed off his new relationship with Stephanie in May, just days after it was announced that his eight-year marriage to Helen was over.

Helen is said to be feeling ‘stunned’ by the breakdown of her marriage, with a source close to the couple telling MailOnline: ‘Helen is absolutely devastated.’

They continued, “Now she’s contemplating a life without him, as he’s moved on with his new partner.”