Strictly fan backlash as BBC accused of 'forcing' poorly Will Mellor to appear on TV

STRICTLY Come Dancing star Helen Skelton has revealed who she sees as her biggest competition - and it might come as a surprise. The Countryfile star, 39, believes England football icon Tony Adams is a massive threat to her on the dance floor.

Strictly Come Dancing star Kym Marsh, 46, risked being eliminated from the show last week after being placed in the bottom two, but was saved by all four judges in the dance-off. Kym’s former Coronation Street co-star Charlie de Melo, 33, described the soap actress as a “force of nature” as he shared his honest opinion with Express.co.uk at the 2022 Inside Soap Awards on Monday.Charlie, who is best known for his portrayal of Imran Habeeb on Corrie, began by complimenting former Hear'Say singer Kym on her dancing skills. “I watched her yesterday - it was fantastic! Absolutely brilliant,” the actor confirmed warmly. Asked if he thought Kym had the potential to win the competition, Charlie replied: “Well, the standard is unbelievably high. “I’m not a regular viewer, if I’m being entirely honest, but I did watch the entire thing yesterday and a lot of people… “Hamza [Yassin], who I wasn’t aware of before, was absolutely extraordinary. Charlie added that another star to impress him with his moves was Will Mellor, whom he had overlapped with during his time on Corrie. “Usually there’s someone that’s there and people turn their noses up and they snort and they laugh, but everyone is doing such a good job,” Charlie reflected. “I love to see it, because I think Kym’s an absolute force of nature,” he added. “But I think it would be insincere of me to say… Because this year the competition she’s up against is unbelievable.

Strictly Come Dancing star Helen Skelton revealed that she and ex Richie Myler were avoiding each other one year before their split.

STRICTLY Come Dancing star Helen Skelton said she steered clear of husband Richie Myler for a year before they split. It comes after the Countryfile presenter, 38, announced the news that their marriage was over back in April. Helen and rugby player Richie, 31, who tied the knot in 2012, share three kids together.

STRICTLY star Will Mellor was so sick on Saturday night he "couldn't stand" and was secretly being "held up" by his dance partner. The 46-year-old had just four hours' training last week after being wiped out by a virus. Despite this, Will battled through to perform on Saturday night - but was punished by the judges with their scores.

Strictly Come Dancing professional Nancy Xu, 31, admitted she was “worried” about her partner Will Mellor, 46, when he took to the dance floor on Saturday night. Nancy explained how she was forced to “hold up” Will, who was barely standing on account of his illness. On Saturday night, Will and Nancy took to the ballroom to perform a rumba to Ed Sheeran's The Joker and the Queen.The Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps star had already been dealt a huge blow earlier that week when he became seriously ill with a virus that forced him to miss a number of rehearsals.The usually energetic actor was visibly struggling when the pair performed and judges awarded them 23 points out of 40, their lowest score so far.Speaking to Janette Manrara on Strictly: It Takes Two, Will admitted that everything “felt good” until “the judges started talking”. Addressing the pair, Janette said: “You were very worried last night because of the time and it being such a difficult dance."Nancy replied: “That night, for me, he’s my winner and I said that in the live show because it was a challenging week and he put himself out there."“It let people see what he could give to the show,” Nancy continued in a heartfelt tribute to her partner. “He said to me, ‘I want to do this for you.

Strictly star Will Mellor has been declared one of the top favourites to win by bookies, but he recently found himself so annoyed that he questioned whether he should have "left".The Coronation Street star has now opened up about the one element of appearing on Strictly Come Dancing that he absolutely can't stand.Will, 46, told the world that he crumbles over tough criticism - something which has been a sore point for him recently.After a bout of viral illness last week, he underperformed, leading to the judges admitting they found him underwhelming - and Will felt their comments were "a kick in the teeth".He took it especially hard when the routine with Nancy Xu to the tune of Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift's 'The Joker and the Queen' was described as "not good", as he had dedicated his performance to his late dad."I was a bit annoyed by it, to be honest, because I was struggling, and when you’re that way you feel a bit sorry for yourself."When I got the scores I was a bit, ‘After all that…?!’" he exclaimed to the Independent, adding indignantly: "I got a four from Craig [Revel Horwood]!"That’s up to them [but] maybe I shouldn’t have [danced], because the judges slagged me off – I should’ve just left it!”He then opened up further on the subject when he appeared on It Takes Two."‘I find being criticised by the judges hard. I find being criticised hard as a person," he exclaimed candidly."Some people can let it go over them, but I find it hard to hide my emotions.

WILL Mellor has hit back at the Strictly judges' low marks for him after his week of being sick. The 46-year-old was awarded just 23 out of 40 on Saturday night for his rumba with pro dancer Nancy Xu, 31. Last week Will barely had any time to rehearse because he was struck down with the flu.

Helen Skelton has gone back to her roots and is living with her parents in Cumbria after her split from husband Richie Myler. The TV presenter, who is currently competing on Strictly Come Dancing, uprooted her life and moved back home following the breakdown of her eight-year marriage to the rugby star in April. Richie, 32, and Helen, 39, share three children; Ernie, seven, Louis, five, and Elsie, nine months, while it was recently revealed that her former husband is expecting another baby with girlfriend Stephanie Thirkill. Despite her personal turmoil, Helen appears to have found peace being back in the company of her family and her children have taken to farm life with ease. ‘I am literally in my childhood Cumbrian village with all my school friends, and so everyone just kind of mucks in together,’ Helen told The Telegraph. She continued: ‘I can get up in my pyjamas, pull my boots on, pull my dad’s coat on, walk across the fields with the dog and what a joyous way to start the day.’ The Countryfile presenter said that she and the children are ‘really happy, and that’s all that really matters’. Helen also has no interest in looking for love for the time being, stating that she has ‘loads to be thankful for’ while focusing on her children.It comes after Helen’s Strictly professional dance partner Gorka Marquez praised the star for her efforts on the dancefloor after going through a marriage breakdown. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 videoFollowing their performance this weekend and the judges’ comments, Gorka began: ‘Can I just say something? I know you [Helen] have been having a difficult time and I know you’ve been made to feel like you’re not

Helen Skelton has fully immersed herself into this year's Strictly Come Dancing, and is relishing every moment with her dance partner Gorka Marquez.MORE: Strictly's Jayde Adams praises 'confident independent' Helen Skelton after candid confessionHowever, her decision to compete in this year's series took some convincing. The 39-year-old - who split from her husband Richie Myler in April - was encouraged to take part thanks to one friend.WATCH: Helen Skelton shares behind-the-scenes glimpse of hilarious Strictly rehearsalIn an extremely candid interview with The Telegraph, the Countryfile presenter shared: "I was talking to my best friend about it and I was like, 'I'm not sure, there's the kids and the press and it will be full-on.'MORE: Helen Skelton addresses split during Lorraine Kelly interviewSEE: 10 cutest photos of Helen Skelton's three children"And she just went, 'You're going to get paid to dance around with a fit guy, people are going to put makeup on you, and you’ve got to work.

Helen Skelton has revealed she has moved back home with her parents after splitting up from her husband Richie Myler earlier this year. Back in April, the Strictly Come Dancing star revealed that her eight-year marriage to the rugby player had ended.

STRICTLY judge Anton Du Beke has warned fans to expect shock dance-offs EVERY week. The 56-year-old says top-scoring celebs are at risk of an early exit because of the "fifth judge's votes". He says this year, more than any, has proved no one is safe.

Helen Skelton has revealed she has moved back in with her parents following her split from her husband Richie Myler earlier this year. The Strictly Come Dancing star announced back in April that her eight-year marriage to the Leeds Rhinos rugby player Richie Myler had ended.

Helen Skelton, 39, has opened up about family changes as she spoke candidly about her life following her marriage split.The Strictly Come Dancing star and her three children - Ernie, 7, Louis, 5, and nine-month-old Elsie - are now living on the family farm in Cumbria.The Countryfile presenter, who co-parents with her former husband Richie Myler - opened up about the decision in a new interview.Helen confirmed she was now back with her mum and dad, who look after her children while she's in London for work commitments, including Strictly where she is partnered with Gorka Marquez.The on-screen presenter admitted she is used to moving around as the family often changed locations due to her ex-husband's career as a rugby player.The TV star previously lived in France and also in Spain for some time.Helen admitted it can be "full on" but she has the support of her friends and family, who all "muck in" and help one another.Speaking about moving back to her childhood Cumbrian village, she told the Telegraph: "You know how they say it takes a village?"I think you don’t realise who your mates are and how much family you’ve got – and I didn’t.

Helen Skelton's ex-husband Richie Myler has shared a rare family snap with his children to Instagram, following the news that his new girlfriend is pregnant with his child. The 32 year old professional rugby league player enjoyed a day out with his mother, Margaret, and his and Helen's three children, Ernie, seven, Louis, five, and Elsie Kate, nine months. In one snap, Richie's children could be seen seated in a sports stadium, perhaps ready to watch their father play rugby, as in the second snap, Richie could be seen smiling next to his sons in his uniform.

Helen Skelton, 39, and her Strictly dance partner Gorka Marquez, 32, have broken their social media silence after they insisted they were “busy concentrating on the dance” for the upcoming live Strictly show.The pair, who are rehearsing ahead of the BBC 100 Strictly special, recorded themselves taking a break from practice, updating eager fans who missed the pair during their absence.Posting the video on his Instagram stories, a worn-out Helen sat in the background while Gorka said: “Wednesday update.

Helen Skelton is living with her parents after having moved out of her family home she used to share with estranged husband Richie Myler in Leeds. Helen, 39, and rugby star Richie, 32, share three children together, and announced the devastating news earlier this year that they were ending their relationship after almost 10 years of marriage. In light of this, Helen has moved back to her parents farm in the Lake District.

Strictly Come Dancing's Will Mellor was certainly a proud dad as he posed with his son Jayden at the Black Adam premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square.The Coronation Street and Hollyoaks actor, 46, sported a light blue shirt under a navy blue waistcoat and matching trousers. Jayden rocked a cream jumper, navy blue fitted trousers and a beanie hat.

Helen Skelton is doing so well on Strictly Come Dancing, where her dance partner Gorka Marquez has been encouraging her every week.Despite his thoughtful and emotional pep talk during Saturday's show, however, Helen remains self-deprecating about her abilities.MORE: Helen Skelton shares hilariously relatable moment during Strictly rehearsalsIn fact, on Wednesday, she took to her Instagram Stories, when she claimed that her children are much better performers than she is!Sharing an image of herself outside her children's Harvest Festival celebration, she wrote: "Heart full [red heart emoji]".The mum-of-three went on: "Kids are defo better performing than me," adding laughing and winking emojis.WATCH: Gemma Atkinson responds after fiancé Gorka Marquez's comments on Helen SkeltonOn Saturday, Helen pulled off an impressive Paso Doble with her dance partner.MORE: Strictly's Gorka Marquez message to Helen Skelton as she admits 'what a week'SEE: Strictly's Helen Skelton: see 10 cutest photos of the star's childrenBefore the judges revealed the pair's scores, Gorka sweetly said: "Can I just say something? I know you have been having a difficult time and I know you've been made to feel like you're not beautiful, or good enough, or anything but if you don't believe in yourself, I believe in you. Helen shared the sweet post on Instagram"Everybody here believes in you.