Carlisle's A-lister TV presenter and proud Cumbrian Helen Skelton made her appearance on primetime TV this evening (September 23). 

The Countryfile star is competing in this years Strictly Come Dancing 2022, and will be battling it out against other big names including Fleur East, Will Mellor, Kym Marsh, Matt Goss and Ellie Simmonds, to bring home the sought-after glitter ball trophy. 

On the series launch of the BBC One hit show, the former Blue Peter presenter was thrilled to see her partner for the competition will be Spanish dancer, Gorka Marquez. 

Swapping her wellies for sparkles, the mother-of-three said her partner would need to be 'patient' and 'be able to understand the Northern accent'. 

During the episodes airing, Helen said: "The things I always got the biggest laughs for is when I got asked to dance or sing - because I cannot sing... or dance.

"It will be the slow dances, when you have to put a serious face on that will intimidate me," she said.

The 39-year-old admitted however, she's feeling confident for when it comes to the jive performances. 

READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing 2022: Who is BBC Countryfile’s Helen Skelton from Cumbria?

"Life's a series of chapters, you don't know what's going to come along, this came along and it's about putting a smile on my face, my kids faces and my mum and dad," she said. 

The opening live show will air tomorrow evening (September 24) at 6:45pm, and will see Helen and Gorka perform in front viewers and judges Anton du Beke; Shirley Ballas; Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood for the first time. 

You can find the Countryfile star on both Instagram and Twitter. Her handle on both is @helenskelton.

READ MORE: Cumbrian presenter Helen Skelton now favourite to win BBC's Strictly Come Dancing