Strictly Come Dancing: Debbie McGee sends sweet message to Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez

Helen Skelton has received a sweet message from former Strictly Come Dancing star Debbie McGee, ahead of this weekend’s live performance.

The Countryfile presenter, 39, from Cumbria, took to Instagram to share the heartfelt statement from the BBC Radio Berkshire presenter, who reassured her that she is doing “brilliantly” alongside her professional dance partner Gorka Marquez.

Debbie, 63, admitted she enjoys watching Helen dance and requested that she gives Gorka - who Debbie became friendly with during her stint on the show in 2017 - a “big hug”.

“Helen, it’s me, Debbie McGee, and I just want to say you’re doing brilliantly. I’m loving watching you - and give that Gorka a big hug for me,” Debbie said.

Ruth Liptrot, who reports for 5 News, shared the sweet message to her Instagram story, saying: “Helen, I’ve got a message for you”.

Helen later re-shared the video to her own Instagram story, writing: “What a wonderful message from two wonderful women”.

Former ballet dancer Debbie competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, alongside Italian professional Giovanni Pernice. She made history on the show, scoring 40-points for a Tango.

The pair made it to the final but were beaten by Scottish actor Joe McFadden and his partner Katya Jones - who is partnered with football manager Tony Adams this year.

That same year Gorka, who was partnered with singer Alexandra Burke at the time, met his now-fiance radio host Gemma Atkinson. Gemma was competing in the show alongside Slovenian professional Aljaz Skorjanec.

Debbie later took part in the 2019 Strictly Christmas Special, where she was partnered with Lincolnshire-born dancer Kevin Clifton, and the pair went on to win the festive series.

Now, she is the presenter of a Sunday morning show on BBC Radio Berkshire and a recurring member of the Loose Women panel on ITV.

Debbie is the widow and former assistant of magician Paul Daniels, who died at age 77 of a brain tumour in March 2016. Paul competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, alongside Ola Jordan - but they were eliminated after just three weeks on the show.

Bradford-born magician Steven Frayne, known better as Dynamo, was one of many who paid tribute to the late performer.

The fellow magician said: “Paul was truly a giant of the entertainment world who really defined magic for over 20 years. As a working-class magician from the North, he was personally a huge inspiration for me and I know that he has inspired countless magicians around the world and will forever be known as one of the all-time greats.”

Dynamo also took to Twitter, sharing a picture of the pair and writing: “Devastated to hear that Paul Daniels has passed. A giant of the entertainment world who will be sadly missed. RIP”