Country Calling: Helen Skelton Swaps Studio Lights for Rural Welsh Charm
Remember Helen Skelton, the fearless presenter who once kayaked the Amazon for Blue Peter and became a morning TV staple? Well, she's at it again—but this time she's trading in the comfy Morning Live sofa for muddy wellies and renovation dust. The ever-adventurous Helen has set her sights on rural Wales, diving headfirst into an exciting restoration project while also reviving her beloved Lake District treasure-hunting show. So what's driving this countryside renaissance for one of TV's most versatile presenters?
Breathing New Life Into a Welsh Victorian Gem
If you've ever fallen in love with a crumbling old house and thought, "I could fix that up," you'll understand the appeal of Helen's latest venture. She's rolling up her sleeves alongside couple Jess and Colin in Powys, Wales, as they transform a Victorian cottage into their dream home. It's not just any old building project—this house holds genuine personal history for the couple, who've left London behind to reconnect with their Welsh roots.
Working with renowned architect Patrick Bradley (you might know him from other restoration shows), Helen isn't just presenting—she's genuinely invested. "I've been through the renovation rollercoaster myself," she recently shared. "There's nothing quite like the moment when you peel back layers of a house and discover its stories."
The renovation journey has all the elements that make for addictive viewing: emotional connections to the property, unexpected structural surprises (don't all old houses have them?), and the fascinating contrast of modern lives adapting to rural rhythms. You can catch all the plaster dust and emotional highs in the pilot episode of "Forever Home" on BBC Two or stream it now on BBC iPlayer if you can't wait.
Helen herself seems genuinely excited about this shift in her career: "Bringing old properties back to life is something that has always fascinated me—I'm a sucker for a building with stories to tell. Watching Jess and Colin create their forever home with Patrick's brilliant ideas has been such a privilege. Sometimes I had to remind myself I was working, not just nosy-neighbor watching!"
Treasure Hunters Assemble: Lakes Edition Returns
Can't get enough of Helen's adventurous side? You're in luck! Her hit show Lost and Found in the Lakes is coming back for a second series, and honestly, who doesn't love a good treasure hunt?
The premise remains irresistible—Helen leads an eclectic team of modern-day treasure seekers through the stunning Lake District landscapes. Think divers plunging into chilly waters, metal detectorists scouring fields, and magnet fishers pulling decades-old secrets from lake beds. What makes the show so heartwarming is its mission: reuniting people with cherished lost items or giving forgotten treasures new purpose.
Behind the scenes, it's quite the operation. There's a social media whiz tracking down owners of found items (those "anyone lose a wedding ring near Windermere?" posts actually work!), and local craftspeople who transform unclaimed items into something beautiful and useful. One viewer told me it's like "a mix between a treasure hunt and a heartwarming reunion show" – and they're spot on.
Have you lost something precious while hiking or swimming in the Lakes? Or perhaps found something unusual tucked into a dry stone wall? The team wants to hear from you at lostandfoundTD@tyrddraig.tv – you might just end up on the show!
Life Beyond the Camera: Helen at Home
While Helen's professional life continues to evolve in exciting directions, she keeps her personal life relatively private these days. Despite recent gossip columns buzzing about a possible engagement (isn't there always speculation?), Helen remains single and focused on raising her three children following her 2022 separation from rugby league player Richie Myler, whom she was married to for nine years.
What's perhaps most impressive about Helen's career choices is how deliberately she's shaped them around family life. She's been refreshingly honest about stepping back from certain BBC commitments to be more present for her kids. In an industry that often demands 24/7 availability, there's something genuinely inspiring about her boundaries.
"The juggle is real," she once quipped during a Morning Live segment about work-life balance. The irony wasn't lost on viewers who knew she was living that reality herself.
From Blue Peter to Property Whisperer: Helen's Evolution
When you step back and look at Helen's career trajectory, what's striking is how she's managed to evolve while staying true to her adventurous, down-to-earth appeal. From those early Blue Peter expeditions to her dancing stint on Strictly, from sports presenting to countryside restoration, she's carved out a niche that seems to genuinely reflect her personal interests rather than just chasing the next big TV trend.
Her latest rural ventures seem to showcase a presenter who's hitting her stride, combining professional expertise with authentic enthusiasm. Whether she's helping homeowners realize their renovation dreams or reuniting people with lost treasures, there's a warmth and genuineness that viewers connect with.
As Helen herself might say – sometimes the most exciting adventures don't involve crossing continents or climbing mountains. Sometimes they're found in Welsh cottages with history in their walls or beneath the surface of a Lake District tarn, just waiting to be discovered.
