Strictly star Helen Skelton set to become BBC golden girl with string of new roles after battling back from wed split

HAMZA Yassin sensationally lifted the glitterball trophy last night — but the real ­winner is Helen Skelton.

She danced back to life from her marriage split heartache and is being lined up for new roles to become the BBC’s golden girl.

The mum of three, 39, announced in April that she and husband of eight years Richie Myler, 32, had split up — just four months after the birth of their third child.

Weeks later it emerged the Leeds Rhinos player was dating Stephanie Thirkill, 32 — daughter of the club’s multi-millionaire owner Andrew.

She is now expecting Richie’s child.

Helen’s transformation has been so dramatic that her dad Richard became visibly emotional as he congratulated her after her performance with pro Gorka Marquez at Blackpool three weeks ago, hugged her and said: “We’ve got you back.”

While Countryfile presenter Helen has kept a dignified silence about the split, a source said: “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.

“Gorka has been very supportive, and his fiancee Gemma Atkinson has also become a close friend of hers.

“The turning point was the show’s week in Blackpool, when her parents came to watch her win a standing ovation on the dance floor.”

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.”