Cumbria’s Helen Skelton and her professional dancing partner Gorka Marquez magnificently danced the foxtrot to the song ‘Lil’Red Riding Hood’ by Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs. With it being Halloween week, the couple did a routine inspired by Little Red Riding Hood, with Helen as Little Red Riding Hood and Gorka as the Wolf.

 

Helen Skelton, born in Carlisle, in recent weeks has become a local Cumbrian success story. She has brought pride to the locals of Cumbria, specifically Penrith where she and Gorka have been training, with Gorka naming Penrith his ‘adopted’ home town.

 

The pair performed a stunningly beautiful performance in the Strictly ballroom on Saturday night. Compared to her previous performances, including her fabulous Charleston that scored her 35 points and a joint first place in the leaderboard, Helen has noticeably improved with every dance she does. Along with her dancing skills, her improved confidence is phenomenal.

 

Craig Revel Horwood, the judging panel’s fiercest critic, was concerned with Helen’s frame and judged that there was a slight moment of gapping. He commented that he could see the mechanics of the dance, which you do not want to see, but did add that the routine had a lovely flow. He scored them the lowest amongst his fellow judges with a 7.

 

Motsi Mabuse confessed that she adores watching Helen dance. She remarked that not only her performance is getting stronger, but her dancing is getting stronger too. It is only week 6 in the competition but Motsi claims that Helen is giving her ‘final vibes’. She awarded the couple an 8.

 

Shirley Ballas, the head judge, thinks that with every dance Helen does, you can see a bit more of her soul, which she appreciates. She notices that Helen has started to get more comfortable with her dancing and is starting to enjoy it. Shirley advised her on improving her finishes with her arms. The head judge claims that she was in awe with her beautiful heel turn and footwork, telling Helen that she is on the right track. She gave the pair an 8.

 

Anton du Beke was also in awe of Helen’s immaculate heel turn and footwork. He says that he enjoyed watching it, claiming that it was a tremendous demonstration of a foxtrot. Unlike his fellow judge Craig, he claims that her frame was nice but recommended going further left. He agrees with him that there was a wonderful flow. He further elaborates on his appreciation of her performance, calling it a “beautiful foxtrot.” His love for her dance is shown by awarding her a 9, the highest amongst the judges.

 

At the end of the night, Helen and Gorka scored a total of 32 points, landing 6th on the leaderboard for week 6. On Sunday’s result show, it was confirmed that the couple would progress to next week.