Helen Skelton likens Strictly Come Dancing to visiting ‘Disneyland’ as she joins Gorka Marquez for rehearsals

Helen Skelton has compared her time on Strictly Come Dancing to being at “Disneyland”, after making it to week seven of the BBC competition.

The Countryfile presenter, 39, who lives in Cumbria, is set to perform the Jive to Janelle Monae’s Tightrope with her Spanish professional dance partner Gorka Marquez, 32, on Saturday.

With just ten couples left, the duo are hoping to make it through to week eight and have already been told by one of the judges that they’ve been giving “final vibes”.

Helen explained to The Mirror that she’s “grateful” to have the opportunity to be on Strictly, while admitting that she’s surprised by how much she has been enjoying her time on the show.

She has also gushed publicly about feeling “lucky” to have been partnered with Gorka, who she describes as “a world-class dancer”.

“It’s like being in Disneyland. Everybody is at the top of their game, the hair, the make-up, Gorka is a world-class dancer who spends all day teaching me how to dance. I’m very lucky, every bit is joyous,” Helen said.

Helen explained that she had heard previous contestants gush about their experience on the show, but wasn’t expecting it to be as enjoyable and fun as it has been.

The Countryfile presenter claimed just completing rehearsals and working hard ahead of the weekend performances make her feel happy.

Following Helen and Gorka’s Foxtrot to Lil’ Red Riding Hood last Saturday, judge Motsi Mabuse claimed Helen was getting stronger and that she was giving her “some final vibes”.

Helen has admitted that participating in Strictly has been tiring but said each week has been “rewarding”. She has been documenting the painful looking injuries she has sustained during rehearsals on Instagram, where she has racked up over 373,000 followers.

The mother-of-three’s appearance on the competition comes after her shock split from husband Richie Myler earlier this year.

The Leeds Rinos star is currently expecting a child with new girlfriend Stephanie Thirkill, while Helen’s parents are helping to look after Ernie, seven, Louis, five and nine-month-old Elsie.