Strictly star Helen Skelton reveals bloody rehearsal injury – just days before second live show

Strictly Come Dancing couple Helen Skelton and Gorka Márquez made their debut last week as they performed the American Smooth to Aretha Franklin’s You Send Me. The couple were awarded a total of 26 points putting them near the top of the leader board.Helen’s participation comes following her separation from husband Richie Myler, 32.

Gemma Atkinson, 37, is said to have dismissed the infamous curse rumours surrounding Strictly Come Dancing and plans to become pals with Helen Skelton.The Countryfile presenter, 39, is partnered with Gorka Marquez, 32, on the BBC show, who got engaged to Gemma last year.The former Hollyoaks actress has reportedly quashed rumours of a Strictly curse and has instead opted to focus on building a friendship with Helen.Sources claim that the actress is hoping to welcome Helen into their home due to her grounded nature and wants to be friends with her.According to reports, Gemma does not want "endless speculation about the curse".A source said: "A lot of Gemma's mates were wondering if she would be worried about the Strictly curse but she laughs it off and just wants to embrace Helen into the family and support her."Gemma doesn't want the endless speculation about the curse, she absolutely trusts Gorka and thinks that Helen is a sweetheart."The source continued to Heat magazine: "She's being extremely positive and encouraging of the pairing and wants them to go all the way."Gemma is reportedly "relieved" that Gorka is paired with Helen due to her "genuine" nature.Express.co.uk has contacted Gemma Atkinson's representatives for comment.Following last week's episode of Strictly Come Dancing, Gemma took to her Instagram page in view of her 1.8 million followers and gushed over Gorka and Helen's performance.Sharing a sweet selfie of the pair on the dancefloor, the mum-of-one captioned the post: "C’mon!!! Go out there and shine Helen! You’re gonna have the most Amazing time on Strictly! Will be rooting for you both @gorka_marquez @helenskelton."Helen rushed to comment on the post, as she replied: "[heart emojis] We need a

SOME are very well known, others are rising stars but over the next couple of months the cast of Strictly Come Dancing will all become household names. And with their sudden superstardom, many now have the potential to make thousands from social media. The X Factor star Fleur East looks likely to be this year’s top earner, with the potential to earn £2,896 per sponsored Instagram post.

Gemma Atkinson has invited Helen Skelton to her house in the hopes of squashing the infamous “Strictly Curse” rumours that seemingly spring up each time a new series comes out. The former Emmerdale actress is engaged to professional dancer Gorka Marquez who this year has been paired with TV presenter Helen Skelton on Strictly Come Dancing.

Strictly Come Dancing fans have discovered what the remaining 14 couples will be dancing to this weekend as a show favourite returns. This Saturday night (October 8) it'll be all about lights, camera, action as movie week arrives in the ballroom.

Strictly's Gorka Marquez has revealed he was a bit miffed when Gemma Atkinson ditched his plans for a relaxing day of movies – to go kitchen shopping.The dancer has been hard at work on the BBC ballroom show – where he is paired with TV star Helen Skelton - and told fans on Instagram that he was looking forward to a day just unwinding out with his fiancée Gemma and their three-year-old daughter Mia.But his plans for a quiet Sunday were scuppered when Gemma took him shopping instead.READ MORE: Gemma Atkinson defies age in throwback snap as she looks the same 20 years laterGorka, 32, shared a video on his Instagram Story that showed them in a car as he explained what had happened.He revealed his interest was piqued when Gemma said that she had "plans" for him, until he discovered that they involved kitchen cabinets."Just came home from yesterday's Strictly and I was so excited to see Gemma and Mia," he said."I thought we were going to chill on Sunday, watch a movie and she's like, 'Ooh I've got plans for us! "So I was very excited for those plans and she told me we're going to... design a new kitchen."Hollyoaks beauty Gemma, 37, then chimed in: "We're going to pick a new kitchen!"Gorka teased that he was "excited" about hitting the shops, but Gemma quipped: "Well, it's not going to choose itself, sweet cheeks.""Did you just call me sweet cheeks?" Gorka asked.Gemma and Gorka met on Strictly back in 2017 and later went on to fall for each other.Mia was born in 2019 and last year the couple announced that they had got engaged.For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.Gemma shared a photo from their engagement on social media."Valentine's forever...

STRICTLY Come Dancing star Helen Skelton and her pro partner Gorka Marquez were spotted looking tense as they left rehearsals on Monday evening. The exhausted pair failed to raise a smile after what appeared to be a tough practise session.

Fleur East has explained the reason behind her emotional appearance following her latest performance on Strictly Come Dancing. The Hits Radio host was overcome with emotion as she finished her second routine of the brand new series of the BBC One show alongside professional dance partner Vito Coppola.

Strictly 's Tony Adams is the favourite to be booted off the show this weekend after managing to escape the first dance-off.

TV star Vernon Kay has revealed he brushes his teeth four times a day. Dentists recommend doing it twice daily for two minutes each time.

RINGO Starr was forced to cancel a show after he was taken ill hours before a gig yesterday. The Beatles drummer, 82, called off the concert because the ailment had affected his voice.

Gorka Marquez was back in the ballroom on Saturday night as he and new celebrity partner Helen Skelton competed in the second week of Strictly Come Dancing.

READ MORE: BBC Strictly's Giovanni Pernice trades dance costumes for a suit but his co-star mocks him for £18,000 jewellery Taking to Twitter, one fan said: "Seeing Gorka in that shirt. I think I am pregnant," while another added: "I may be slightly in love with Gorka. Just saying.

STRICTLY'S Helen Skelton and her pro-partner Gorka Marquez shared a hug as they ended a training session before last night’s live show. Helen, 39, was spotted in a cosy beige jumper and blue workout leggings with her hair tied up and embraced Gorka before hopping in her blue Audi 4x4.

STRICTLY Come Dancing star Tyler West proved he's the fittest man on the dance floor today, completing the London Marathon just hours after a high energy performance. Overcast conditions before the race didn't dim his spirits as he spoke to the BBC's Gabby Logan alongside fellow celeb runner Mark Wright.

THERE was 'warfare' between the Strictly Come Dancing judges on Saturday night's show, as well as a 'fiery relationship' brewing between one couple. That's according to body language expert Judi James, who has revealed the secret signs she spotted on the October 1st episode of the BBC smash.

Strictly Come Dancing's Fleur East broke down in tears after her emotional Viennese Waltz on Saturday's show. The 34 year old singer was overwhelmed at the end of her routine with Vito Coppola, before speaking to the judges.

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Helen Skelton was tasked with showing off her sexy side on the BBC dance show which she admitted to finding hard.During her training session, Helen's dancing partner Gorka Márquez told Helen she needed to be sexy for the routine in order to have more impact.Placing mirrors around her in order to enhance charisma, Gorka said: "So we're working on Helen's sexiness."He later added: However Countryfile star Helen who said she's "not sexy" struggled to portray sex appeal.She confessed: "I'm not sexy, I'm functional, I'm efficient."But fans at home picked up on Helen's comments and headed to Twitter to share their thoughts.One person wrote: "Helen thinks she isn’t sexy?! Ironic that makes her even sexier!"Another fan said: "When Helen said 'I'm not sexy, I'm functional and efficient.', I felt that on an emotional level." A third viewer penned: "I think @HelenSkelton is going to go on a journey. She talks herself down so much.

Helen Skelton may have had her confidence shaken in her marriage split but she showed dazzling form on the opening show – and pro partner Gorka Marquez is urging her to “believe she can do it”. The Countryfile presenter, 38, was devastated earlier this year when husband of eight years Richie Myler ended their relationship. And then, in the week she made her Strictly debut, the rugby league player referred to his new girlfriend as his “family”.