Helen Skelton spoke about ‘challenges’ of being a single mom… HOURS before ex Richie’s baby news

Helen Skelton spoke about the challenges of being a single mother just three hours before the arrival of her ex-husband Richie Myler’s baby was announced.

The 39-year-old presenter headlined the Kinder Masters of Play festival, which hosts workshops for parents and children at KidZania over the Easter holiday, on Sunday.

She said: ‘As a mother of three, I know how difficult it can be to keep your kids entertained, especially during the school holidays.

“But what I keep telling myself is that we are all doing our best! I’m lucky that my kids play so well together, but it can be a huge juggling act.’

But the following day, Rohan Smith, rugby player Richie’s coach, confirmed that the Leeds Rhinos star, 32, had welcomed the couple’s first child along with his new girlfriend Stephanie Thirkill.

It comes just 14 months after Richie split from Strictly star Helen. Their divorce was announced 11 months ago by Helen.

Rohan said, “Richie spent a lot of time in the hospital giving birth to his new little baby, so we’ve given him some time to settle in at home.”

Helen took to Instagram in April 2022 to reveal that her marriage to Richie was over, just four months after giving birth to their youngest child, a daughter named Elsie.

Six months later, it emerged that the Richie and Stephanie were expecting their first child together, with Richie cradling his girlfriend’s belly in a glowing black and white photo.

Rugby star Richie, 32, shares three children with the 39-year-old presenter – Ernie, Louis and Elsie Kate – they married in 2013.

The news comes just weeks after Helen took to social media to share an International Women’s Day post with her 14-month-old daughter Elsie Kate.

She seemed to be making a pointed statement as she shared her hopes that the little one would “act integrally” and “lift other women up.”

Helen wrote: ‘MUCH delayed on what to say/post…. It is not for me to tell anyone what kind of woman you should be…. But I hope my little lady turns out to be one that takes other women to the next level. Grateful for the good girls and boys they let shine in my life. #grateful #internationalwomensday #actwithintergrity #bekind #bebrave #beyou’.

While she also took to her Stories to praise the little one for her “courage” earlier in the day.

‘On International Women’s Day it only seems right to recognize the one year old (14 months) who is brave enough to join the big kids in the circus… ohhhh little lady can’t wait to see you conquer the world.

“To the daughters we’re blessed with and the big brothers who stand beside them.”

It came only days after Richie himself posted a celebratory post with his then-pregnant girlfriend.

Meanwhile, Helen looked effortlessly chic as she left Headingley Stadium in Leeds on Saturday, hosting the local Channel 4 rugby match.

The TV personality appeared in high spirits as she presented the Leeds Rhino home game – also the same team her ex-husband Richie plays for.

The Countryfile presenter also posed with co-presenter Adam Hill and was captured chatting with some rugby fans.

Also present was Richie’s pregnant girlfriend Stephanie.

The outing comes after Helen shared a candid post over the weekend about the realities of being a single mom while celebrating Mother’s Day.

The Strictly Come Dancing star shared a sweet post with her brood and her own mother while marking the day.

But to keep it real, she posted a photo of her youngest son Louis crouching on the floor in a ball and crying as she wrote that this was the “reality.”

Helen joked that she “ruined” his life, revealing that the meltdown was all over when she tied his shoelace.

Helen posted a monochromatic family photo to her 468,000 followers and wrote, “Happy Mother’s Day. No words needed. ❤️’.

But in the same breath she decided to give an insight into daily life as a mother of three children through her Stories.

She shared the photo of little Louis huddled in a ball and wrote, “The reality… when you “ruined their lives” because of the way you tie a sneaker lace.

“All part of the adventure we get to call parenting,” she joked.

Helen has been battling work and motherhood since her eight-year marriage to ex Richie fell apart in 2022, just months after giving birth to their daughter Elsie.

While her ex-husband has welcomed another child, it looks like Helen could move out too – after reports circulated this week that she went “on casual dates” with strictly professional Vito Coppola.

According to reports, the pair have “bonded” as they traveled between cities on the tour bus.

A source told it Mirror: ‘Helen and Vito were good friends during Strictly, but really bonded during the tour.

“There were two buses for the cast: the party bus and the silent bus.

“They spent a lot of time chatting on the silent bus and getting to know each other better. They have a lot in common, for example the love of the outdoors.

“Between shows, they also spent one-on-one time with each other, like drinking coffee, just the two of them.

“When the whole group went to dinner, they sat together, deep in conversation.”

The source added that Helen was keen to stay away from Vito when people pulled out their phones because she didn’t want to be seen in the background with the dancer when a photo or video was taken.

Meanwhile, Richie acknowledged his girlfriend’s pregnancy for the first time on social media with the new post this week, simply captioned with a love heart emoji.

In the fall of 2022, a source said The sun that Stephanie and Richie are “thrilled” to be expecting their first child just six months after their relationship came to light.

Stephanie is the daughter of Andrew Thirkill, president of Leeds Rhinos, one of the wealthiest businessmen in Leeds and estimated to be worth £175 million.

His relationship with Stephanie came to light in May, 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.”

Helen feels abandoned. They are still married and their baby is literally months old.

“She thought their marriage was safe and is totally shocked by what happened.”