Heartbreak for Strictly’s Helen Skelton as her ex-husband gets new girlfriend pregnant just a month after he dumped her
STRICTLY star Helen Skelton’s ex-hubby is expecting a baby with his new girlfriend months after ending the marriage.
Richie Myler left Helen for Stephanie Thirkill and a pal said: “They’re thrilled by the pregnancy.”
Businesswoman Stephanie, 32, took to Instagram to announce the news, excitedly tagging her boyfriend who is a player for top-flight rugby league side Leeds Rhinos.
It is understood Richie, also 32, broke the news to Helen, mum to their three young kids, before the social media post.
A friend of his said last night: “Stephanie and Richie are obviously thrilled. They have moved very quickly but are extremely happy together.
“The timing of the pregnancy may raise a few eyebrows though.
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“It is obviously such a huge step, and one made remarkably quickly off the back of Helen and Richie’s eight-year marriage ending. But Richie and Helen maintain cordial relations, and in a way the timing is actually perfect as Helen is so happy at the moment.”
The friend added: “She is loving every second of Strictly Come Dancing, and is far too busy — and probably knackered — to be worrying about her ex.
“Accordingly, Richie didn’t think it would be a huge problem because they have both moved on with their lives.”
Stephanie, whose dad Andrew Thirkill is Leeds Rhinos president, is already showing a notable bump.
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While the couple prepare to welcome their first child, popular presenter Helen, 39, has been winning over a new fanbase on Strictly.
Partnered with Spanish pro dancer Gorka Márquez, the pair are one of the favourites to win the coveted Glitterball.
Ex-Blue Peter host Helen was heartbroken after Richie left her when their youngest child was just four months old.
She wrote in April: “Very sad to say that Richie and I are no longer a couple. He has left the family home. We will be doing our best to co-parent our small children.”
The Sun reported that Richie had quickly embarked on a romance with a mystery new woman who we later revealed to be successful marketing executive Stephanie.
The couple have since gone public across social media, and recently enjoyed a romantic mini break in Cornwall.
As Helen made her Strictly debut, topping the leaderboard with her American smooth, Richie’s side, cheered on by his new girlfriend, lost the Super League Grand Final to St Helens.
Stephanie posted on her Instagram story: “Wasn’t a win but couldn’t be more proud of this one. Grand Final at Old Trafford and a great game for you. Love you so much X @richiemyler”.
Richie shared the post, which featured a selfie of them, to his own stories, along with the caption “love you” and a heart emoji.
He also hinted at their forthcoming arrival, sharing a post of his own which read: “Finished this season as a family.”
Since the split Helen has thrown herself into work as well as looking after her children.
In August she took over BBC Five Live’s Sunday morning radio show from Laura Whitmore and was immediately swamped with support from listeners praising her “warm” style and “exciting” new format.
She also signed up to the hit BBC1 dance show, and is training around eight hours a day, five days a week.
Writing in her Strictly diary, she said: “The main reason I signed up was to have fun.
“Of course, it’s hard not to feel the pressure, but this isn’t heart surgery on kids, this is an entertainment TV show, so I’ve always got that in the back of my mind.
“The whole thing about having to be ‘more confident’ and ‘more sexy’. Well, the fact that I’ve put my hand up to even be in this competition shows a level of self-assurance, I think. That said, it is horrible when people have to leave.
“As soon as it came to the Sunday show, and we realised that one of us had to go home, I became really conscious of the voting.
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“And it does make you question yourself — if no one votes for me does that mean no one likes me?
“It’s a new level of pressure, I suppose, and something I didn’t really think about before.”