Helen Skelton is no stranger to adventure—whether paddling down the Amazon, cycling to the South Pole, or tightrope walking between Battersea Power Station’s chimneys. But today, the Countryfile and Morning Live presenter defines success in simple, everyday terms.
“I feel like I’ve made a success of the day if I’ve managed to do everything I need to do,” Helen told OK! magazine with a laugh. “If I’ve managed to get the food shop, do my work, get the kids somewhere, and do a bit of exercise, I’m winning.”
At 42, Helen has been a familiar face on British TV for nearly two decades. From her Blue Peter beginnings and Countryfile reports to her time on Strictly Come Dancing and her current role on BBC One’s Morning Live, she remains grounded despite her varied career.
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Much of her focus now is on raising her three children—Ernie (11), Louis (9), and Elsie (4)—primarily in Cumbria after returning to her parents’ farm following her separation from rugby player Richie Myler in 2022.
Her busy schedule demands practical clothing. “When you’ve got kids, a job, and a life, you’ve got to be fast on your feet, you’ve got to be comfortable,” she explained. “If I’m at work, I’m dressed up in high heels, but otherwise, it’s leggings and a top knot pretty much all the time.”
This balance of style and function led Helen to collaborate with retailer JD Williams and stylist Gok Wan on a new collection celebrating real women’s bodies. “JD Williams body-scan real women, so you don’t have to worry about clothes that don’t fit your actual shape,” Helen said. She believes the right outfit does more than look good—it boosts confidence.
“Your clothes are like armour,” she said. “If you feel good, everything is easier. Even on the school run, you can be stylish yet practical enough to keep up with the kids.”
Addressing the misconception that women become “invisible” in midlife, Helen noted the irony. “You’re juggling house, family, and sometimes relationships,” she said. “You have to be the matriarch, even if feeling visible isn’t always easy.”
Helen is candid about how bodies change with age and rejects unrealistic beauty expectations. “We put too much pressure on ourselves to look 25 when we’re not 25,” she said. “I don’t look 35 because I’m not 35!”
She admits to having “little bits of Botox,” joking that her son recently complimented her skin. She is also outspoken about the impact of social media on body image, admitting she regularly clears her cookies to reset algorithms and expressing hope for the government’s planned social media ban for under-16s.
Reflecting on her time on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, Helen shared the empowering lessons she learned. “It’s about owning what your body can do, not just how it looks,” she explained. The experience encouraged her to “walk tall and put your invisible crown on,” a confidence she carries into everything she does—including her fun but informal daily Strictly Fitness segment on Morning Live.
Despite her adventurous spirit, Helen is self-aware about certain challenges. “I’ve been banned from MasterChef because I’m so bad in the kitchen,” she laughed. “My kids said, ‘Please don’t do that, for the love of God.' Harsh, but fair.”
Helen’s partnership with JD Williams has produced a 12-look Summer Edit collection designed to help women embrace their real shapes with comfort and style. Available in sizes 8 to 32, the range supports women through summer’s key moments, encouraging confidence in every outfit.