Morning Live

BBC boss calls on Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones to ‘stop playing around with viewers’

Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones looked cosy together as they posed for photographs on the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain red carpet this week – despite a suggestion they had split

BBC bosses reportedly want popular duo Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones to come clean about the true nature of their relationship – for the sake of the viewers.

More than 1.5million people tune into Morning Live every weekday on BBC One, and see Helen and Gethin discuss topical issues. It was understood they had embarked on a relationship since working together on the programme, but speculation of a split swirled a few months ago.

But on Monday night, Gethin, 47, put his arm around 42-year-old Helen on the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain red carpet in London. The cosy photographs led to further speculation the couple had rekindled their romance, but the “confusion” has reportedly irked some management at the BBC.

One boss told the Daily Mail: “There’s a common feeling among them [BBC bosses] that it’s time for Helen and Gethin to confirm where they stand and stop playing around with the viewers. It’s time for clarity.

“Standing together on that red carpet has only confused viewers, who truly do want them to be an item, and it’s not fair anymore to keep the speculation going. It’s starting to feel on purpose as they’re really leaning into it.”

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Gethin was one of the original hosts of Morning Live when it first aired five years ago, and Helen joined him in 2023. She started the post around one year after splitting with Richie Myler, a now retired rugby league player, with whom she has three children.

Chatter emerged Gethin and Helen’s friendship had become a relationship in May this year after the presenters were seen leaving the BAFTAs together. Though neither confirmed a relationship, they were spotted again with each other off-set several times in the spring. Similar gossip spread this week after the pictures at the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain event, which the stars reportedly left within minutes of each other.

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Yet Gethin, who in 2011 split from fellow Welsh star opera singer Katherine Jenkins, nor Helen have confirmed or denied whether or not they are together now.

It is thought when Helen, a former Blue Peter host, was brought in to join Gethin on Morning Live the BBC hoped the pair would build a strong rapport to continue its success in its timeslot.

When Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan were chosen to launch This Morning on ITV in 1998, it quickly became a success and, though the pair were long married by then, it is believed their strong charisma together drew in the viewers. The BBC, it is understood, felt that a similar onscreen chemistry was exactly what it needed to win the daytime ratings war in 2023 – and it was undoubtedly worked onscreen.

Chatter remains whether that move has seen things blossom off it too.

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BBC Morning Live’s Helen Skelton pays tribute to co-star as she ‘wraps up’ new project

Morning Live star Helen Skelton had some warm words for her Channel 5 co-star as she shared a gushy tribute post that he has since responded to

Morning Live star Helen Skelton has took to Instagram with a joyful post to pay tribute to her beloved co-star while confirming to fans she’d be taking a brief break.

The TV star, who is mum to three adorable children Louis, Ernie and Elsie, has been so busy with filming commitments that she’s vowed to “switch off” her phone as she returns to her family life.

It’s clearly been a hectic period for the former Strictly star, with many projects in the pipeline, including her newest on-screen adventure alongside former BBC Breakfast star Dan Walker.

The pair have been dazzling their loyal legion of fans with their show Yorkshire Great and Small with Dan and Helen – which is still available to stream on My5.

Much to the delight of fans Helen had good news to also share, announcing that her show with Dan had been greenlit for a another series and would be returning the channel in September.

Dan and Helen
Dan Walker and Helen Skelton have been working together on their Channel 5 show(Image: Helen Skelton / Instagram )

Announcing the joyful information, she took to Instagram with an slew of happy snaps alongside the Channel 5 newsreader, while paying tribute to Dan, the crew and confirmed filming had now finished.

Helen told her followers: “That’s a WRAP… Snatched a load of afternoons to wander around Yorkshire with this legend. Met some epic people. Ate some sensational food. Celebrated some stunning landscapes that hopefully give you some ideas for adventures. Laughed A LOT.”

Dan responded to Helen's post
Dan was quick to shut down romance rumours with Helen(Image: Helen Skelton / Instagram)

The Morning Live host confirmed: “Series starts @channel5_tv in September,” and offered up some kind words: “Thanks to the hardest working man in the game for always making me belly laugh @mrdanwalker at the most ridiculous things.

“Thanks to a crew who have become family over the last few years and for humouring our self proclaimed glorious nonsense.”

She signed off the post, adding: “Phone and shoes off for the foreseeable,” alerting her fans that she would be taking a well deserved break for the time being.

Helen Skelton and Dan Walker
Dan and Helen have worked together for years(Image: Helen Skelton / Instagram )

Helen’s co-star, Dan was quick to respond to her post, pointing out a major detail before any misconceptions were formed. In the abundance of pictures shared, one image saw the pair cosied up outside what appeared to be some kind of castle or church.

Dispelling rumours before they even began to swirl, Dan replied: “Just for clarity… the last photo is not a wedding snap. Thank you my friend for so many fun afternoons. You are a wonderful human to be around.”

Fans appeared to be too elated over the happy news that their show would be returning to screens and appeared to not even notice the last snap of the pack.

Racing to the post, masses joined in with celebration: One person penned: “Dynamic duo are back.”

Another online user beamed: “Love this programme look forward to it,” as a third stated: “Fantastic can’t wait to view it,” while a fourth wrote: “You two are a good partnership, always a pleasure to watch.”

Yorkshire Great and Small with Dan and Helen is available to stream on MY5

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