Cumbria’s Helen Skelton is one of the favourites to win this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
William Hill has priced the Summer on the Farm presenter as second favourite to win the BBC series, after it was recently announced she was taking part.
The race for the glitterball is only just a few months away. Last year’s show was won by EastEnders’ actress Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice, who both went on to win a BAFTA for their special silent performance on the show to highlight the challenges for the deaf community.
Helen was the most recent star to be announced, completing the full line-up for the 20th series of the dancing competition.
Skelton rose to fame presenting children’s TV programme Blue Peter in 2008. She has gone on to present the FA Women’s Super League, as well as numerous Olympic and swimming tournaments.
Having already taken part in Strictly in 2012 for the Christmas Special, Skelton is no stranger to the camera, lights and action… or the dancefloor.
The 39-year-old now presents Channel 5’s Summer on the Farm, her co host from which Martin Hughes-Games issued a jokey warning Strictly producers: “Helen’s a bit dodgy to work with… she… has to be reined in a bit because she has a tendency to be a bit wild.”
UK bookmakers’ William Hill certainly think Skelton will bring that wild side to the tango or Charleston, having placed the presenter in second place to win the show, tipped 7-2.
Favourite to cha cha her way to the final and lift the glitterball is singer and radio presenter Fleur East. With choreography and stage skills already under her belt, East makes a contender to watch on the dance floor as she’s tipped 11-4 to win.
