Helen Skelton admits 'struggle' being a single parent after 'Strictly' partner urges her 'believe in yourself'

Helen Skelton has confessed she does struggle as a single working parent and so she has learned to lower her standards to get everything done.

The Strictly Come Dancing contestant split from her rugby player husband in April, just four months after the birth of their third child, and he is now expecting a baby with his new girlfriend.

Skelton, 39, admitted on Lorraine: "Of course I struggle. I lump work into me time. Not everyone does Strictly for their work. For me - lower the standards. My kids don't always go to school in fully ironed school uniforms sometimes."

Read more: Strictly Come Dancing: Helen Skelton fled through fire escape ahead of live show

The Countryfile star appeared strong and defiant as she danced the Paso Doble on the latest episode of the BBC dance show just days after her estranged husband confirmed he is expecting a child with new girlfriend Stephanie Thirkill.

Following Skelton's performance her dance partner Gorka Marquez made an emotional speech on the live show, addressing the difficult week she had had.

Marquez said: "Can I just say something? I know you've been having a difficult time and you've been... you may feel like you're not beautiful or good enough or anything, but if you don't believe in yourself, I believe in you; everybody here believes in you.

"It doesn't matter how many times I say it, or the judges say it, it's only you who can make the change and is the one who can believe in you. You are an amazing woman, you're inspirational; an amazing mum and incredible dancer, so believe in yourself please."

Skelton looked awkward and embarrassed and remained silent before jumping onto the table and stamping her feet, as she had in her dance.

She wrote on Instagram afterwards: "Sometimes you just got to get on the table and say Ole."

The former Blue Peter presenter is mother to Ernie, seven, Louis, five, and nine-month-old daughter Elsie Kate.

She announced in April she had split Leeds Rhinos player Richie Myler after eight years of marriage.

Read more: Strictly: Matt Goss says he does not regret returning to UK as he is voted off show

He is now expecting a baby with Stephanie Thirkill, the daughter of Leeds Rhinos' president Andrew Thirkill.

Watch: Matt Goss was the third celebrity to leave Strictly 2022