HELEN Skelton has taken a swipe at the Strictly Come Dancing judges ahead of the show’s final.
The Countryfile presenter, 39, has made it to the final of the BBC One competition and will vie for the Glitterball Trophy with her dance partner Gorka Marquez, 32, in a dazzling show on Saturday night.
However the TV presenter has brushed off any disappointment of not receiving a full house of 40 points from judges Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke along with a 10 from Craig Revel Horwood.
Asked if she is hoping for a full house in the final, she said: “I would love to get a 40 but I feel like we’ve had 40.
“With respect, I take on board what the judges say, I respect what they say.
“But actually the thing for me that’s getting a 40 is getting up to Claudia’s area and you’ve got people like Karen, Luba, Katya, them all going crazy and like that’s our 40.
“You know, Johannes. When they say things like that, that reaction is worth 60, 70, 80 to me.”
Speaking about avoiding the dreaded dance off for 12 weeks, the former Blue Peter presenter said: “Yeah, that is a massive compliment and we’re very grateful.
“I think for us the messages that we get every week are quite overwhelming and quite humbling and to not be in the dance off is something that I didn’t really think about til this week. And I said flippin ‘heck.
“So yeah, that’s something that I’ll take away as a massive compliment!”
Meanwhile Helen, who will go up against cameraman Hamza Yassin, CBBC presenter Molly Rainford, 22, and singer Fleur East, 35, for the victory, described how she and Gorka have already won in her eyes.
She added: “I feel like the fact we’re here, and the fact that we’re smiling and having a good time.
“And, you know, we spend all day together every day for the last three months, and we’re still friends, we’re still laughing and joking.
“And I have the biggest bank of marvellous memories for me and my family and that’s a win for me.”
It comes after mum-of-three Helen was left broken-hearted earlier this year when her husband Richie Myler, 32, walked out on when their daughter Elsie was just four months old.
And just days before the final, Helen has declared the magic of the ballroom has transformed her after her “challenges”.
She said: “I’ve definitely found my confidence on that dancefloor.
“It’s been about being sassy and powerful and being in control and that’s a wonderfully freeing thing for anybody when they feel in control.
“It’s been a wonderfully liberating thing to just be happy in your own skin and your own shoes.”
Helen added: “I feel like we’ve already won it, the fact that we’re smiling and having a good time and I have the biggest bank of marvellous memories for me and my family and that’s a win for me.”
