To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a webbrowser thatsupports HTML5video
Countryfile presenter Helen Skelton has defended herself after judge Anton Du Beke told her during the Strictly Come Dancing week one show that she should ‘own the dance’ more.
Speaking from the studios where she presents her Sunday morning BBC Radio 5 Live show, the star confessed she was ‘well and truly out of her comfort zone’ when on the dancefloor and away from sports and news.
She and partner Gorka Marquez delivered an elegant American Smooth on Saturday night for their first dance to You Send Me by Aretha Franklin, securing them a score of 26 and a place on the top half of the leaderboard.
The mum-of-three got plenty of praise from judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwod for her elegance, ‘lovely arms’, ‘beautiful line’ and making an impressive start on the show.
However, Anton had added that she needed to ‘own the dance’ and believe in herself more, sentiments that Gorka later echoed when they chatted with co-host Claudia Winkleman.
Taking to Instagram on Sunday, former Blue Peter host Helen said in a video clip: ‘This is a message for Gorka and Kaye Adams, okay? Kaye and I find it difficult to ‘own it’ and get in a character and act the dances because it’s not what we do!’
Panning around the radio studio, she added: ‘This is what I do – talk to people about sports and the news and farming and stuff. So when you have to try and perform something, it’s a real challenge.
‘The first thing my producer said to me when I walked in this morning was, “Whoa! What about you, pretending to write on a book at the beginning?” And they’ve been taking the mick out of me all morning. Because it’s not what I do! But I’m working on it, I am well and truly out of my comfort zone, and I am trying to find my space out of the comfort zone.’
Anton had told her on Saturday night: ‘Own the dance because you do it beautifully and that’s all you need to do is just believe in yourself a bit more because it’s great.’
When Claudia questioned the fact that both Helen and Gorka had nodded at the comment, with Helen pointing to Gorka too, the professional dancer explained: ‘I think she’s great but I think she just needs to believe [it] – I know her confidence at the moment is not great, but she just needs to believe in herself and believe she can do it because I think she has lots of potential and is a beautiful dancer. I believe in her as well.’
Helen then joked: ‘I kept trying to leave!’
Kaye had received similar feedback after her tango with partner Kai Widdrington to Voulez-Vouz by Abba, which secured the nervous broadcaster and Loose Woman star a score of 21.
Despite praise from the judges, Shirley noted that it seemed ‘nerves got the better’ of the TV presenter but that when did not make a mistake she had a ‘beautiful top line’ and needed to trust herself and her partner more.
Actor Will Mellor and wildlife presenter and cameraman Hamza Yassin came out on top during the first live show, with both securing 34 for their routines.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6:30pm on BBC One.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Source: Read Full Article