Strictly's Helen Skelton says she would 'rather be on rival show Dancing on Ice'

Gorka Marquez and former Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton were highly praised as they made their dancefloor debut together on Saturday night. The pair floated across the floor on Strictly Come Dancing as they performed the American Smooth to Aretha Franklin's You Send Me.

Strictly Come Dancing's James Bye has revealed his delight that he has been partnered up with Amy Dowden for his time on the show.The EastEnders actor, 38, has admitted that Amy is one of his favourite professionals and that he was "blown away" at the reveal. James told OK! and other press: "I was really shocked they gave me Amy, I view Amy, for me, watching the show...

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shiley Ballas has wowed viewers with her stunning show look.

Strictly Come Dancing fans were confused by host Claudia Winkleman's choice of "casual" attire during the opening episode.The presenter, 50, returned to screens for the official launch of the 2022 series on Saturday night (September 24).Hosting the BBC show alongside Tess Daly, Claudia cut a casual figure in a black blazer with a white vest.READ MORE:Strictly's Helen Skelton told 'I need a win' by Gorka Marquez in off-air chatShe completed her look with white platform-heeled boots, leaving some fans confused about her attire.Posting to Twitter, one fan wrote: "Has #claudia forgot to get dressed up."Another quipped: "I love Claudia is a bit awkward you give me hope." "Not a good look," a third fan added.Wearing her brunette tresses in her signature wavy fringed style, Claudia finished her look with dark eye makeup.Meanwhile, her co-star Tess dressed to the nines in a gorgeous red jumpsuit.The stunning blonde, 53, looked dazzling in the chic look.This is a live TV story and is being constantly updated. Please refresh the page regularly for the latest news, pictures and video.You can also get email updates on the day’s biggest TV stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our soaps and Hot TV newsletters .Get all the very best news, pictures, opinion and video on your favourite TV shows by following Daily Star every time you see our name.

Tess Daly looked stunning in a form fitting red jumpsuit as she hit the stage for week one of the live shows for the 20th series of Strictly Come Dancing. The stunning presenter wowed viewers as she walked out in her stylish one piece, oozing glamour from head to toe as the dance competition got underway for another year.Tess, 53, wore her trademark blonde hair in a sleek volumised style, adding a glamorous full face of makeup to complete her look. READ NEXT: BBC Strictly Come Dancing viewers spot huge audience blunder as fans return to studio The leggy beauty walked out with co-star Claudia Winkleman as they prepared to host the debut week of performances on the hit BBC One show as the latest batch of celebrities geared up to compete for the coveted Glitterball trophy.Strictly Come Dancing's 20th season kicked off last night (September 23) with the star-studded new line-up being introduced to their professional partners for the season.Viewers saw British former Paralympian swimmer Eleanor May Simmonds, OBE - or as we know her Ellie Simmonds paired with Nikita Kuzmin, who was paired with Tilly Ramsay last season.Former X Factor star Fleur East has been paired with professional partner and Strictly newcomer Vito Coppola.Comedienne Ellie Taylor has joined forces with Johannes Radebe who fans saw make history in Strictly's first all-male couple alongside celebrity chef John Whaite last year.

Strictly Come Dancing stars are getting ready for week one of the 2022 competition. Following Friday's launch show, which saw the celebrities paired up with their professional partners, they are getting ready to perform their first dance. Some stars have taken to their social media to show what they are getting up to in the final hours before they perform in the live show.

Week one of Strictly Come Dancing 2022 is upon us, with this year's contestants set to take to the dance floor for the very first live show this evening. The show airs tonight, Saturday 24 September, following Friday's launch show where it was revealed which celebrity has been paired with which professional dancer.

Strictly Come Dancing’s 20th series, Helen has spoken about her delight at being matched with Spanish professional dancer Gorka, 32.The 39-year-old Countryfile presenter, who first tried her hand at Strictly when she took part in the Christmas Special back in 2012, said that from the start she wanted to be paired with Gorka, due to the fact that she is so close to his fiancé, actress and radio DJ Gemma Atkinson.Speaking to Express.co.uk about her reaction to being paired with Gorka, which Helen has had to keep hidden for several weeks, she said: “That was who we wanted.“Because I know Gemma, we've got loads of mutual friends.“And he lives not that far from me.”Living in close proximity to his Strictly partner is something that seems to be important for Gorka and more likely Gemma, as it means the pair, who are parents to two-year-old daughter Mia, can still spend as much time with each other as possible.Back in August of this year, former Emmerdale star Gemma, 37, opened up about the struggles of living alone after Gorka had to move away for work commitments.Speaking on her Instagram stories, which has amassed 1.8 million followers, Gemma explained how difficult it can be being a single parent, but went on to say how her family help her out."I'm extremely lucky because obviously Gorka works away a lot, but my mum and my stepdad are ten minutes down the road and my sister is half an hour away," Gemma said."But last week and this week I'm off work because they're on holiday, so I've literally [got] nothing and I've no one other than myself with Norm and Ollie [her two dogs] and Mia, and I'm only halfway through and I feel like I've been [explicit] around the head."Sharing her amazement for other mums in a similar position,

Helen Skelton has revealed her Strictly Come Dancing dance partner Gorka Marquez keeps telling her he "needs a win".Strictly Come Dancing is no easy feat, and after weeks of gruelling routines, only one couple can lift the glitzy glitterball trophy at the end of each series.But it seems poor Gorka, 32, is desperate to finally be crowned champ after being pipped to the post twice in recent years.READ MORE:Strictly's Kym Marsh suffered racy underwear blunder in training with 'no clothes'Helen, 39, spoke to Daily Star and other press at a Strictly roundtable ahead of her debut in the BBC ballroom.During the chat, she admitted Gorka has been putting on the pressure in rehearsals by telling her he needs to bag himself a win on the show.It sounds like he wants Helen to put on some show-stopping performances so the pair can win big points from judges Craig, Shirley, Motsi and Anton.When told that Gorka was due a win, the former Blue Peter presenter replied: “So he keeps telling me..."Fellow contestant and comedian Ellie Taylor seemed shocked as she gasped: "Does he tell you that?"Helen then confirmed he's said to her: "I’ve been in the final [two] times, Helen!" with her reaction being: "I’m like ‘Oh god!’”Gorka, who joined Strictly in 2014, reached the final with X Factor winner Alexandra Burke, but they came joint runners-up to Katya Jones and Joe McFadden.He was then shifted from the show's main line-up and participated in the weekly group dances.The Spanish hunk reached the final again with EastEnders actress Maisie Smith, but they lost out to Oti Mabuse and Bill Bailey.Asked why she's already so excited to take part in the competition, Helen explained she loves being around her fellow contestants as her job can be

Strictly Come Dancing is finally underway, with last night’s show unveiling who would be dancing with who - including the announcement of two same-sex couples in a show first. One said couple was TV star Helen Skelton, who has been partnered up with show favourite Gorka Marquez - a fast fan favourite duo.

Strictly Come Dancing 2022 is set to kick off in a matter of days, with the launch show now airing on Friday 23 September. During the first show, which was filmed on 7 September, fans will finally find out which celebrity has been paired with which professional dancer and then the following evening (24 September) the first live show of the series will air.

THEY’RE the sparkling new stars of Strictly Come Dancing lining up to bid for the Glitterball Trophy as the show kicks off this weekend. But which of the wannabe dancers is already a winner in the rich list? With a line up that includes pop stars, presenters and sports personalities, they all have successful careers and some will be looking to boost profile through the show.

STRICTLY Come Dancing fans were left irked by the reaction of contestants as the 20th series launch played out. All too familiar with the format, BBC One viewers watched the Strictly professionals squeal with excitement when they discovered their new celebrity pairings.

Gemma Atkinson has given a two-word response after learning that her boyfriend Gorka Marquez was partnered Helen Skelton on this year's Strictly Come Dancing. Strictly fans finally learned who the pairings were on Friday (September 23) after the launch show was postponed due to Queen Elizabeth II's death.And it was revealed that Helen had been paired with two-time runner-up Gorka, in what seems to be a very promising duo.READ MORE: Strictly's Helen Skelton in frosty exchange with Craig Revel Horwood at start of seriesGemma and Gorka met on the show in 2017 though she was paired with former pro Aljaz Skorjanec and he was with Alexandra Burke.

Helen Skelton dished out some "fighting talk" during her first Strictly Come Dancing appearance in a frosty exchange with judge Craig Revel Horwood. The mum-of-three, 39, who presents Countryfile and previously hosted Blue Peter, said she was not afraid of Craig's "tantrums".

KYM Marsh and Dianne Buswell were all smiles as they headed to the final Strictly Come Dancing rehearsal ahead of the first live show.  The Coronation Street actress cut a casual figure in black top, matching gym leggings and a pair of trainers. She donned a pair of headphones around her neck and styled her brunette locks straight as she left her hotel in London.

Strictly Come Dancing is officially back on our television screens and if you're anything like us, you're probably over the moon (or should we have said glitterball?).After the glitz and glamour of the launch show on Friday night (September 23) your brain might be a little frazzled - but fear not because we've got the lowdown.If you're wondering who is paired with who - look no further. READ NEXT: BBC Strictly Come Dancing viewers spot huge audience blunder as fans return to studio Keep reading to discover who the likes of Kym Marsh, James Bye and Helen Skelton are all paired with.Oh, and be prepared to get introduced to some new sizzling professional dancers.Eleanor May Simmonds, OBE - or as we know her Ellie Simmonds - is a British former Paralympian swimmer.It was announced on Friday that Ellie is paired with Nikita who was previously paired with Tilly Ramsay last season.Ellie opened up about the pair working out how to dance together, explaining: "The disability representation and dwarfism and it's so out of my comfort zone and it's about adapting. "Nikita and I were saying, ‘How are we going to work it,’ and we’re both in the unknown.

Gemma Atkinson has shared her reaction to Gorka Marquez's brand new Strictly Come Dancing partnership as the 2022 competition launched. The hit BBC One dance contest returned to screens on Friday night (September 23) and fans saw the 15 celebrity contestants discover which of the professional partners they will be training and performing with during their time on the show.

Strictly Come Dancing 2022 is set to begin on Friday 23 September, with the first live show taking place the following evening (24 September). A fresh batch of celebrities are preparing to compete for the iconic Glitterball trophy, with the likes of Will Mellor, Kym Marsh, Matt Goss and Helen Skelton all getting ready to take to the dance floor.