Helen Skelton is leaving Radio 5’s live show to spend more time with her children
Helen Skelton has aired her last show for BBC Radio 5 Live ‘for now’ to spend more time with her children.
The 40-year-old TV and radio presenter hosted the Sunday morning show last year after taking over the slot from former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore.
During the final show, her fellow 5 Live presenter Steve Crossman admitted he was emotional that she was leaving, to which she replied, “I know I don’t want to, but an eight-year-old will be happy about it.”
When later asked how she was feeling, she added: “I’m not fine, but you know, the needs have to be.
“The juggling is real. An eight-year-old with a side hustle needs me.”
At the end of her show, she said: “That’s it for me for now on Sundays. Thank you for your company over the past year. I loved every minute of our time together on this show…
“Thank you to the whole team, thank you to all of you. Maybe we’ll see each other again soon. It’s hard to know what to say without getting emotional.”
Crossman praised Skelton ahead of her departure, saying she was “so wonderful” to work with and that she is “missed so much”.
Skelton is co-parenting her three children with her ex-husband Richie Myler after they announced last year that they were “not a couple anymore”.
The Countryfile and Blue Peter star wrote on her Instagram Story at the time: “It’s very sad to say that Richie and I are no longer a couple. He left the family home. We will do our best to raise our little children together.”
Watch Apple TV+ for free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £6.99/month. after free trial. The plan will automatically renew until canceled
Watch Apple TV+ for free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £6.99/month. after free trial. The plan will automatically renew until canceled
Skelton and rugby league player Myler, 33, have three children – son Ernie, eight, Louis, six, and daughter Elsie Kate, who was born in December 2021.
Last year, Skelton competed in Strictly Come Dancing and placed second with her professional partner Gorka Marquez.
The host previously said that she “found her confidence on the dance floor” while attending the show.
A BBC spokesman said: “Helen is an excellent presenter who did a fantastic job as a Sunday morning presenter.
“We respect her decision and look forward to working with her on the 5 live programs in the future.
“As for next Sunday morning, we’ll update our listeners with some exciting news in due course.”