Helen Skelton sparks romance rumours with fellow Strictly star as they ‘enjoy dates’ after ‘growing close’ on tour
HELEN Skelton has sparked romance rumours with fellow Strictly star Vito Coppola and the pair have enjoyed ‘casual dates’.
According to reports, Helen, 39, and Vito have “grown close” on the recent Strictly Come Dancing tour.
The Mirror claims that the mum of three and the hunky Italian pro “bonded” after spending a lot of time together on the tour bus.
A source told the publication: “Helen and Vito were good friends during Strictly, but really bonded on tour.
“There were two buses for the cast – the party bus and the quiet bus.
“They spent a lot of time chatting on the quiet bus and getting to know each other. They have a lot in common – a love of the outdoors, for example.
The insider added that Helen and Vito frequently snuck off on cosy coffee dates for two while on the road, and if the tour cast went out for a group dinner they “would sit together, deep in conversation.”
The report claims that Helen is keen to keep any burgeoning romance under wraps, however, after the breakdown of her marriage to rugby player Richie Myler.
“If anyone pulled out a phone and started filming, Helen would move away from Vito. She didn’t want to be captured in the background,” the source is quoted as revealing.
Helen was paired with Gorka Marquez in the recent series, while Vito danced with Fleur East.
Helen’s eight-year marriage to Richie fell apart early in 2022, not long after she had given birth to their third child, Elsie.
Richie is now in a relationship with Stephanie Thirkill and they are expecting a baby together.
While Countryfile presenter Helen has kept a dignified silence about the split, a source told The Sun last year: “When Strictly began, Helen was at an all-time low, mentally and physically broken by what she went through with Richie.
“But she credits the show with turning things around for her.
“Her pro partner Gorka has been very supportive, and his fiancee Gemma Atkinson has also become a close friend of hers.
After she made it to the final, we revealed that the BBC want to turn her into their new Golden Girl and have many shows in the pipeline for her.
A BBC insider last night said bosses want to make her the channel’s new “golden girl”.
She is being lined up for guest presenting slots on the BBC’s The One Show and Morning Live.
The source added: “Another option is her own show, a very outdoorsy action series.”
Away from TV, sales for her children’s clothing business Toy Breaker are said to have soared.
Intertalent chairman Jonathan Shalit said: “If managed well, she could see her earnings triple next year.”