EXCLUSIVE Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones go public! Beaming presenter wraps her arms around Blue Peter co-host as they head for breakfast date on his motorbike amid deepening connection

Daily Mail​

22-05-2025

Helen Skelton cosied up to Gethin Jones as the presenter was seen with her arms wrapped around her co-host on Thursday.
MailOnline recently revealed that the Morning Live hosts have grown close off-screen, with their friendship going on to blossom into a deeper connection.
And the pair didn't appear to be hiding their growing bond as they put on a very public display as they headed for breakfast in Manchester City Centre on board Gethin's motorbike.
Looking stylish, Helen, 41, opted for a tan leather jacket and denim jeans as she gripped Gethin's waist.
Wearing a black motorbike helmet, the star hopped on the back of his Triumph Bonneville bike while Gethin's face could be seen through the visor of his white headgear.
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The pair didn't appear to be hiding their growing bond as they put on a very public display as they headed for breakfast in Manchester City Centre
It comes after the pair were seen leaving the BB C Morning Live studios just minutes after each other on Wednesday.
Helen dressed for the London sun in a pair of tiger print floaty trousers and tan vest top.
She accessorised the look with chunky gold earrings and a brown bag before throwing a white fluffy cardigan over her arm.
Meanwhile Gethin left a few minutes later as he put on a sporty display in a Cardiff rugby long-sleeved top and shorts.
Smiling he completed his look with a pair of stylish Ray Ban sunglasses after previously hinting at his close bond with 'superwoman' Helen as he praised her in a gushing Instagram post.
The TV stars, who have both presented Blue Peter and appeared as contestants on Strictly Come Dancing, are currently single after Gethin admitted he has been on the dating scene for the past two years having previously been engaged to Katherine Jenkins, and Helen split from ex-husband Richie Myler in 2022.
To add to the intrigue, their respective reps are also refusing to comment on the duo's relationship, which has garnered further attention after they were seen leaving the BAFTA Television Awards together last Sunday with fellow guests at the event saying they were very 'tactile'.
A TV source told MailOnline: 'Helen and Gethin have an extremely close working relationship and there's a feeling in recent months their friendship has blossomed into a deeper connection.
'They're both keen to keep a lid on it to avoid public scrutiny but there's no denying their closeness both on and off screen.'
The Welsh presenter has in the past expressed his admiration for his co-star after they took part in a 24-hour live TV marathon in aid of Comic Relief earlier this year.
Taking to social media in March following their epic TV stint, Gethin shared his admiration for Helen and despite having spent 24 hours together, revealed that he called her up just an hour later.
Alongside a selection of images of the pair looking close during their TV marathon, he penned: 'And a little appreciation post for this super woman @helenskelton. Unbelievable physical and mental resilience…
'Loves a laugh but a deep thinker (I had to remind her a few times we were live on tv).
'It says a lot that you can spend 24hrs non stop with someone and still call them an hour later for a debrief . Respect means we can be honest with each other always.
'There was NO time at all, at any time during this challenge, not one, where I wanted to throw her off the rink. Never once. Didn't even come into mind.'
Wearing a black motorbike helmet, the star hopped on the back while Gethin's face could be seen through the visor of his white headgear
The star wore a blue and white striped blouse with ruffled sleeve detailing under her jacket
And amid Gethin's gushing words for Helen, fans couldn't help but notice the chemistry between the pair as they took to the comments to suggest Helen and Gethin 'belong together'.
They penned: 'You were made for each other!! A joy to of stayed up all night watching you both roller skate for such a phenomenal cause and donating.'
'You two belong together love you guys epic challenge a pleasure to watch you both despite your pain amazing feat well done xxx.'
'You 2 appear to have a true genuine care for each other, so very natural together ❤️❤️ watched you both on Comic Relief late last night, (not enough mention about your amazing achievement in my opinion ) you just look amazing together.'
'I have to say they would make a lovely couple.'
Meanwhile, Helen also shared her love for her pal following their TV marathon in which they took part in a nonstop 24 hour roller-skate challenge.
Gushing about Gethin afterwards on social media, Helen wrote: 'My dear @gethincjones... You are some man.
Helen looked stylish in tiger print trousers as she left the BBC studios separately to Gethin on Wednesday
Taking to social media in March following their epic TV stint, Gethin shared his admiration for Helen and despite having spent 24 hours together, revealed that he called her up just an hour later
Amid Gethin's gushing words for Helen, fans couldn't help but notice the chemistry between the pair as they took to the comments to suggest Helen and Gethin 'belong together'
'I don't publicly say often enough how much love and respect I have for you my friend because I assume it is well known, but for the record you're a legend and I am beyond grateful to have you by my side on the rink, the sofa and beyond.'
Helen has been single since her high profile 2022 break up from husband Richie, the father of her three children, Ernie, nine, Louis, eight and Elsie, three.
The rugby league player, 34, was married to Helen for nine years before they split with the former Strictly star writing on Instagram that she was very 'sad' he had 'left the family home'.
The ex-Blue Peter presenter has spoken about how difficult she found the breakdown of her marriage, writing in her autobiography she was in 'shock' and 'didn't see it coming', as the couple split four months after the birth of their youngest child.
Helen's commitment to her children saw the Countryfile star step down from her presenting role on BBC Radio 5 Live, as she announced in 2023 her departure was so she could spend more time with her family.
Richie has since moved on with Stephanie Thirkill, the daughter of Leeds Rhinos president Andrew Thirkill, and they have welcomed two children, Olivia and Freddie.
Gethin, meanwhile, has been single for two years having briefly dated First Dates star Cici Coleman in 2023.
Previously, he had romances with TOWIE's Lucy Mecklenburgh in 2014 and German underwear model Katja Zwara in 2017.
But his most serious relationship was with Welsh opera star Katherine Jenkins who he dated for four years from 2007.
They are based in Manchester during the week when they film Morning Live and as well as attending award shows together, the duo have also been at events alongside friends and family
Morning Live viewers have commented on co-stars Helen and Gethin's onscreen chemistry with many of them saying the duo would make a 'great couple'
The presenter, 47, even proposed in February 2011 but they broke off their engagement in December that year.
Gethin is believed to have been a rock for Helen after the breakdown of her marriage with the pair often socialising together away from the cameras.
They are both based in Manchester during the week when they film Morning Live in Salford and as well as attending big award shows together, the TV duo have also been at events alongside friends and family.
In April last year, they attended a special Strictly Come Dancing themed charity event, the Burrow Strictly Ball, set up by the legendary late rugby league star Rob Burrow's sisters Jo and Claire for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
An eyewitness at the event revealed: 'It was very clear that Helen and Gethin were together as a couple at the event, they were with close friends of Helen's and their connection was undeniable.'
The same month Gethin was pictured tenderly touching Helen's hand, which was wrapped around his arm, at the TV Choice awards.
Helen posted the snap on Instagram, which also included fellow Morning Live host Michelle Ackerley, and wrote: 'Technically work colleagues, but we know too much about each other.'
The insider added: 'Helen and Gethin have been able to attend events together without much fanfare purely because they're work colleagues.
Helen and Gethin posed for an Instagram snap together at the TV Choice Awards, where the co-star's were seen tenderly touching each other's hands
In April last year, Helen and Gethin attended a special Strictly Come Dancing themed charity event, the Burrow Strictly Ball, where an eyewitness said they looked particularly close
'They're officially there to 'represent the show' which is a bonus for them as they can slip under the radar but anyone who has seen them at these bashes will testify they look extremely cosy.'
That close connection was evident again in January when they competed together at Manchester fitness event Hyrox doubles, which would have involved extensive training.
Later in the year, Helen competed in the London Marathon, sparking more social media gushing.
Helen was married to ex-husband Richie Myler for nine years before they split in 2022 and now the former rugby ace is in a relationship with partner Stephanie Thirkill (pictured in 2012)
Helen is a mother to her three children Ernie, Louis, and Elsie, with whom she shares with ex Richie
Gethin commented on her Instagram post: 'Here she is... Finding the time, packing it in, breaking boundaries, committing to it, (even treadmill sessions at 4am). Well done H, you never cease to amaze me.'
Helen and Gethin have both previously been open about their respective love lives.
In November 2022, when she competed on Strictly Come Dancing, Helen admits her marriage split - which came shortly after the birth of her third child - left her 'battle hardened' and the dance show acted as a kind of 'therapy.'
Meanwhile, Gethin has poked fun at this single status, revealing on Martin Compston and Gordon Smart's Restless Natives podcast in February the administrators on dating app Hinge refused to believe he had signed up and struck him off assuming he was an imposter.
And after convincing them he was 'the real Gethin Jones' he left anyway having failed to find a suitable date.
He explained: 'The moment when I have to write to Hinge, 'Dear Hinge' on a Thursday night, on your own, writing to an online dating app. 'Hi it's Gethin here, 46. I just want to get my money back because it's not really working for me,' eating some cereal because I hadn't got some food in.'
He might not be so unlucky in love after all…