Strictly star Helen Skelton compares show to “Disneyland”

Strictly Come Dancing star Helen Skelton has opened up about her time on the show, comparing the experience to being at Disneyland.

Between presenting Blue Peter, Countryfile and on BBC Radio 5 Live, the busy star is also a single mum of three, and she recently spoke to Mirror about her time on Strictly so far and how she manages her packed schedule.

“I’m no different to any working parent. Every working parent has things to manage and things to juggle,” she revealed. “The only difference is my work is a ridiculously shiny, glittery experience where someone paints your face and makes you thinner.”

What to read next

strictly come dancing tess daly and claudia winkleman helen skelton

BBC

Skelton also gushed over how much fun she's been having, sharing: “I’m just really grateful to be involved. Strictly is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s like being in Disneyland."

The star also had plenty of praise for the whole team at the BBC One show, including the hair and makeup teams, while gushing over her professional partner Gorka Márquez. "[He's] a world-class dancer who spends all day teaching me how to dance. I’m very lucky, every bit is joyous," she said.

helen skelton and gorka marquez, strictly come dancing 2022, week 2

BBC

“I knew it would be good. I didn’t know it would be this good. I can see why when people are in it. They gush about the team, experience and how keen they are to stay in. I totally get that. Before I came into it, I thought ‘oh yeah, it’ll be nice’. But it’s literally like being in Disneyland.”

Last weekend's Halloween edition of Strictly saw Skelton and Márquez foxtrotting to ‘Lil’ Red Riding Hood’ by Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs. The pair’s performance was received well by both the judges and the audience, helping them see another week.

Week 7 will see the pair dancing a jive to Janelle Monáe’s song ‘Tightrope’.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One, while spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows also stream on BBC iPlayer.