Helen Skelton heads into rehearsals for the Strictly Come Dancing finals with Gorka Marquez

She recently credited the show with helping her rediscover her confidence following her split from ex-husband Richie Myler.

And Helen Skelton continues to use that momentum to propel her into an incredible performance in Saturday night’s Strictly Come Dancing finale.

The 39-year-old Countryfile presenter bundled up warm on Thursday morning when she was photographed with Gorka Márquez leaving their hotel to head to another day of rehearsals.

Wearing a khaki green midi length puffer jacket, Helen wore a pair of black sports leggings with a white sweater on top.

She donned a thick, bright baby pink scarf that she wrapped around her neck, adding a pop of color to her look and keeping the cold out.

She walked through the thin layer of snow that was still left from the last few days of freezing temperatures in a pair of comfortable beige sneakers.

Helen kept her blonde hair in a poker straight style and used a light makeup palette.

Keeping her essential dance tools in tow, the TV host tossed on a dark green shoulder bag as she left for rehearsals.

He chatted with his professional dance partner Gorka, who was dressed in a pair of dark gray cargo pants, a black puffer jacket and an orange beanie as he prepared to practice his final dances.

Her appearance on Thursday morning comes after Helen revealed that dancing on the show has been “wonderfully liberating to be happy in my own skin” following her breakup with Richie Myler, husband of eight years.

Helen, a mother of three, says acting with professional Gorka Márquez was never about being ‘sexy’, but their partnership was about taking back ‘control’ and feeling ‘daring and powerful’, and the TV star admits that he found himself again at the dance. flat.

Speaking ahead of the Strictly finale, Helen said: ‘Everyone is confident in different ways.

‘I was having a talk with Claudia [Winkleman] about that one day and not everyone can strut down the street in high heels and a dress, but maybe you’ll be confident to talk politics or write books or whatever, but yeah, I’ve found confidence.

“Gorka is smart because he’s never really strove to be sexy, but to be bold and powerful and in control, and that’s a wonderfully liberating thing for anyone when they feel in control of themselves and what they’re doing.”

“I don’t think it’s about being sexy, I think it’s about being confident in your own skin and being who you are.”

“What Gorka told me at first that I didn’t understand was ‘just do it’, I was like ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about, I’m here’, I was like ‘and what does that mean?’ But now I understand.

“It’s been a wonderfully liberating thing to be happy in my own skin and my own shoes and do whatever hike I’m doing.”

Two months ago, Helen told Strictly host Claudia: “I’m not sexy, I’m functional.”

Fast forward to the show’s Music Week, where Helen danced her Couple’s Choice to Cabaret’s Mein Herr, and the star wowed the judges with her seductive performance, while wearing a sequined bustier and straps.

Helen also impressed in last week’s semifinal with her Tango Argentino, kicking off the performance on her own by strutting to the center of the dance floor.

She admits that her confidence after splitting with rugby ace Richie, 32, who is now in a relationship with pregnant girlfriend Stephanie Thirkill, has skyrocketed, and the support she has received from her fanbase has given her the Motivation to stay strong in the competition.

Helen said: ‘For us, that’s been what’s kept us going every week.

“Trust is relative, isn’t it? And the challenges are all relative, but yeah, I’ve definitely found my confidence on the dance floor, and I enjoy it and that’s what it’s all about.

“Every week we get so many messages from people sharing things about their life and that’s the most humbling thing, when you’re on TV that’s why you do it because you like to connect with people and be a part of things.”

“It’s a privilege to be in people’s living rooms on a Saturday night and it’s a privilege when they’re sharing things and if one person has thought that I’m going to step out of my comfort zone and take on something difficult, then we’ve done our work.

Helen admits that she hasn’t always understood professional dancer Gorka’s guidance during their time training together.

While Gorka has advised Helen to stray further out of her comfort zone by “giving more” even when she’s been decked out in a “glittery bra and wig,” she’s finally realized that every detail counts when you’re in the dance. flat.

She said: ‘I’m not an artist, so I’ve never had to not understand that.

‘When Gorka has been saying ‘dial’, I say ‘oh, this is what you mean, I get it’, sometimes I say ‘like this?’ and he’ll say ‘give me more’ and I’ll say ‘how can I give him more? I’m in a shiny bra with a wig, what else is there to give? but we spent about half an hour with Gorka going ‘just look at him that way’ and I was like ‘it doesn’t matter where I look dude’ but he does.

People keep saying that I have been on a trip, but Gorka has done very well.

The presenter prepares to give the performance of her life on Saturday night in a bid to take home the Glitter Ball trophy.

Performing three routines, including their dance show, which Helen describes as “very, very fast,” the pair hope they can beat fellow finalists Molly Rainford, Fleur East, and Hamza Yassinin in the competition.

Helen’s partner Gorka says her performance will be a celebration of Helen’s strength and determination during her time on Strictly, where he has seen her become happier behind the scenes.

He said: ‘The story behind this is a celebration and a thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout Helen’s journey and journey from day one until now.

“The first day, when she had to go downstairs, she said, ‘I don’t know if I’ll be able to do this on my own,’ but now she’s happier, more smiling, confident and can dance.” like Argentine tango, it’s just a celebration of her journey.’