Helen Skelton has been a familiar face on the BBC’s Countryfile since the show first presented almost a decade ago in 2014.
Countryfile is a British television program broadcast weekly on BBC One which covers rural, agricultural and environmental issues.
The popular presenter, aged 40, has also undertaken many other broadcasting activities, while maintaining a passion for extreme adventure-based activities.
From her upbringing on a farm in Cumbria to a ‘very sad’ divorce and a stint on Strictly Come Dancing, here’s everything you need to know about Helen Skelton.
Inside the life of Countryfile’s Helen Skelton, from her ‘very sad’ divorce from rugby ace to her time on Strictly Come Dancing
Her broadcasting career began soon after, working at Border ITV and CFM Radio, eventually becoming a co-presenter at BBC Radio Cumbria at the age of 23.
From Cumbrian education on a dairy farm to Blue Peter
Helen’s life began on a dairy farm, before heading to the Cumbria Institute of the Arts, where she completed a degree in journalism.
Her broadcasting career began soon after, working at Border ITV and CFM Radio, eventually becoming a co-presenter at BBC Radio Cumbria at the age of 23.
From 2007 to 2008, she was also a journalist and presenter on CBBC shows Newsround and Sportsround, before landing the role as Blue Peter’s 33rd presenter at the age of 25.
She replaced Zoe Salmon on the show, which she presented for five years before stepping down in 2013, with Radzi Chinyanganya taking the role in her place.
Following her departure from Blue Peter, Helen became a presenter of live FA Women’s Super League football matches for sports broadcaster BT Sport (now TNT Sports).
She has also presented segments of Countryfile since 2008 and became a regular host in 2014.
His experience in sports coverage also saw him be part of BBC Sport’s Olympic team, covering the major events at London 2012 and Rio 2016.
She also kayaked down the Amazon River alone for six weeks for Sport Relief, and completed a 500-mile journey to the South Pole, flying with the Red Arrows and walking a tightrope between the smokestacks of the power plant in Battersea.
Enduring a ‘very sad’ divorce from rugby league star
In 2013, Helen married Leeds Rhinos and England rugby league star Richie Myler.
The couple would have three children – Ernie, Louis and Elsie, before separating in April 2022.
She replaced Zoé Salmon on the program, which she presented for five years. She is pictured alongside Barney Haywood
In 2013, Helen married Leeds Rhinos and England rugby league star Richie Myler.
The former couple share three children: Ernie, Louis and daughter Elsie, but their romance didn’t last
In August 2023, Helen received a decree nisi which marked the end of their ten-year marriage, with the couple receiving confirmation in the mail, MailOnline exclusively revealed.
Since the end of their marriage, Richie has had another baby with his new girlfriend Stephanie Thirkill, the daughter of Leeds Rhinos chairman Andrew.
Strictly Workshops and Other Dance Show Getaways
Before taking part in Strictly Come Dancing, Helen entered and won the Malta Open Dance Competition in 2008, which saw her dance with a 16-year-old wheelchair user as her partner as they beat 100 other dancers On the road to victory.
Helen would show off her dancing skills again in 2022, appearing in the 20th series of Strictly alongside professional dancer Gorka Marquez.
After successfully reaching the final, Helen and Gorka lost to eventual winners Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal.
Speaking about her experience on the show, she told Tom Bryant’s podcast Outdoors in mind: ‘I think everyone needs at some point to remind themselves: “Actually, you’re really good at this, here’s your invisible crown, put it on.”
“I was like, ‘OK, I’m heading into my 40s, I just had another kid. I am alone. I changed my life, I moved house.”
“I was in a bit of a tricky situation, but the (professional) dancers are all like, ‘Oh my God, you have three kids, it’s amazing. You bought a house, it’s incredible.”‘
Helen showed off her dancing skills again in 2022, appearing in the 20th series of Strictly alongside professional dancer Gorka Marquez.
While juggling her job and three children with her time on the show, Helen said Strictly had “brought her back to life”.
Appearing on Loose Women in February 2023, Helen reflected on her journey on the show and how her dance partner Gorka Marquez helped her remember “who I am”.
“In the first few weeks I didn’t know how to go about it and be sexy and sassy, but then it got easier,” she said.
“Then I stopped questioning it and just stopped caring less. I knew it would be over in the blink of an eye, so I gave it my all.