Yes that's more accurate

Helen showed so much style in their Foxtrot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhOTdIRgtQg

Love the section that begins around 00:49 before the section of rotations. Such control and lovely posture. Just rewatched her tango, which I was not a fan of at the time because of the music and her silly facial expressions, and there are some great moments in it that shows well her ballet skills.

I'm enjoying the Helen appreciation today

There is the Strictly Appreciation section of this forum ladies where it would seem these remarks would be more appropriate - they certainly are way off topic on this thread !

Not that this has ever stopped you in your daily natter to each other !

I don't think Strictly necessarily enhanced Helen's career (to get back on topic) - I wouldn't have thought she amassed a great number of new fans - partly because as you say she is so reserved and 'private'.
She was photographed every morning leaving her hotel on the Strictly Tour along with everyone else but the tabloids didn't run them or give them any prominence - possibly because of lack of public interest but sadly also because she mostly looked like she had dressed in the dark.
Style is something you either have or have not got - wearing a collection of non matching clothes with an absolute assortment of many coloured accessories does not get you featured in the Daily Mail Style column.
Helen is a beautiful woman who needs a stylist badly - her time in Strictly has certainly not made her a household name - unlike Tara, Ali, Caroline or even Natasha come to that !
Or dare I say Georgia May Foote

Maybe they're working in an adventure/romance for her. They seemed to be foreshadowing a relationship for her in the final episode of the latest series.

Helen's wonderful on the show, and she was especially strong this series. (It's on DVD, so you could catch up; Miranda Hart as Chummy was great, too.)

To bring it back to the thread topic a bit, I don't think Helen really needed much from the show. Other than being a showbiz gig, it was meant, perhaps, to make her better known to a wider audience. Since she already/still has a career, she didn't need much "benefit" other than to have fun and dance.

Agree on the first bit where you said that the Helen appreciation should be for the appreciation section of the forum, however it doesn't bother me as there's been Flavia and Vincent appreciation here too. However I do kind of disagree on your point about Helen needing a stylist, you said she looked like she got dressed in the dark and that she is not going to get a mention in the Fails style column.. Maybe she did that on purpose because she didn't want to be mentioned in the Daily mail not even on the subject of style or colour co ordination, Not everyone wants their faces shoved on petty tabloids Oh and I'll add Jay McGuiness since were listing names

Oh I am quite sure she didn't get up every morning and think now what should I wear so that I don't appear in the Daily Fail

Laying it on a bit too thick there Ano I must say - but a good try !

Me too I do wish they'd had different music for their Tango but it's one of my favourites and I read complimentary reviews of them performing it on tour. I noticed on Helen's Instagram account she's posted two stunning photos of her and Aljaz dancing it.


I'm happy to be told by the mods or the op of any thread to rein in off topic chatter. I'm new to DS but I'm sure during Strictly season it wouldn't be allowed and main forum threads are expected to stay bang on topic. Although threads and discussions always progress a bit don't they.

I doubt featuring in the Daily Mail style column is high on Helen's list I love that her style is individual and sometimes quirky. She's so beautiful she can carry off anything.

She was already a household name from CTM, well to those of us who watch it I suppose. My Mum (a retired midwife who loves CTM) certainly knew who she was and my Mum doesn't normally have a clue who most of the Strictly contestants are. She knew Carol from the weather, Jeremy from Eggheads and Anita from Countryfile this year too must be a record I'm sure Strictly will enhance Helen's career though she's very busy and a successful actress already.


I've got Series 1-4 with Christmas specials on DVD, going to buy Series 5 with the last Christmas special.

Completely agree about Helen's reasons for being on the show, she just seemed to have a ball and showcased herself beautifully.

Fine I tried best I could do Well that's the impression I got from your post but hey if I was laying it on a bit too thick guess you were too but nice try Sandy

I don't think the papers didn't run the photos because Helen looked like she got dressed in the dark - to be honest most of the people on Strictly look like they got dressed in the dark most of the time. Helen just kept her head down and looked like she didn't want to be photographed, so not much to print really. I think she is probably more well known than Georgia because she already has a major role on a long running series, but if she wanted to I'm sure she could've upped her profile as well if she'd gone off with Aljaz.

Don't worry Ochre we have not infringed the rules and it was unlikely that this thread would remain about Helen and appreciating her. Some posters are quick to railroad threads into arguments about their favourite couple. This hasn't happened here and won't.

There was an appreciation thread for Helen and Aljaz I think but it's disappeared from the front page in the attic so if anyone can retrieve it then we can continue discussion there.

And Ochre, as you've expressed appreciation for Gleb I expect to see you visit his thread in the attic some day.

No it won't, that lesson I've certainly learnt. And have probably said more about a certain couple than I ever meant to really!

Making tea now but I'll visit and read through later. I hope you've got framed topless photos (wafty shirt optional) of the Glebster on the walls of his attic room Hoping to hear him confirmed for the next series soon, I'd like Elena to join Strictly too.

People do Strictly for a whole variety of reasons - as a fun way to fill in a bit of free time (which is where I put Jay), to plug a new album/tour (Peter), after leaving a long running show to up their profile, as BBC employee strong armed into making up the numbers, a BBC employee used to 'cross pollinate' shows (which is where I put Helen. CTM watchers tune into Strictly, Strictly viewers give CTM a go). Helen has done backing vocals for Elton John and sang at the Albert Hall, for goodness sake! She has been in a steady part for what? 4 years which is job security on a big scale for a jobbing actress. I imagine that any of the young actresses on Strictly would give a body part for a career the likes of which she has/is carving out.

(And if she is ever stuck for a job - she can come and read to me )

Dahling, style gets you snapped by Scott Schuman or onto VF's best dressed list.

The DM style column is more Littlewoods catalogue territory.

For me I always wondered why Helen did Strictly because she is part of one of the biggest drama shows on TV she had a really good career already at a quite young age unlike Jay or Georgia who needed the show to help their next step. I thought she might be looking to leave Call the Midwife but that hasn't happened. She seemed nice but rather reserved like a lot of actors.

Ballroom she was up with the best last year, Latin I think her ballet training didn't really help. She always looked stiff and awkward to me sadly.

Style gets you snapped in that instance because you have put yourself in the hands of a professional stylist !
Very wise.
She would have made no list at all coming out of her hotel on tour when she dressed herself, except perhaps the worst dressed list.

The DM style column does not feature the Littlewoods Catalogue at all - well certainly not in the last few months to my certain knowledge.
After all that is not the main source of clothing for their target audience - the aspiring middle classes - is it ?
Dresses, shoes and leather jackets that cost hundreds of pounds as worn by 'celebs' are featured regularly but cheaper High Street versions are offered for the sake of non wealthy or younger readers.
I am not familiar with the Littlewoods Catalogue but presumably they offer clothes that are fashionable and affordable too or presumably they would go out of business.
It is not the cost of items of clothing that is important, however, it is the wearers ability to dress fashionably and stylishly in clothes that flatter them from whatever source and to accessorise with flair and good taste.
Something the women often featured in the DM style column manage to do.

Completely off topic, but one of the most hilarious things I've seen in a Sidebar of shame article recently was in one of the 'Worst Dressed' articles about Oscar night outfits, where they pulled apart dresses/outfits but carried on regardless with their 'Now get one like it' section. Hey, you too can look like a badly styled celeb! . Just one of the many reasons I love the SoS.

My understanding of the rules is that the appreciation threads are for nothing but positivity which is fair enough. I don't post on them because (IMO) they can go a bit far in the adoration - enough said. In terms of other threads, this one is about who benefited the most from the show and has meandered very pleasantly between musings on various celebrities and lots of very nice posts about people's favourites such as Alesha and Helen. Not entirely sure what the problem is and why the posts about Helen inspired the getting dressed in the dark comment. That seemed a bit unnecessary to me.

Ha ha, that is hilarious!

i know
If you were of a cynical mind, it could lead you down the path of wondering if it's less about the clothes and who is wearing them and more about who is paying for the advertising space

Very true

Not when it comes to Gleb

To be fair it was only one poster who sought to balance our enthusiasm for Helen by rubbishing her dress sense/style. Let them have it because Helen is gorgeous and would look good in a paper sack, much like Marilyn ... oh hang on

I love going to the SOS on Oscars night for the frocks and shocks and remember that Kate Winslet always gets a plug in the 'get one like it' section (for what it's worth I love Kate and did not think she looked like she'd dressed up in a bin bag).

I also remember articles about London Fashion Week and photos of Helen attending a couple of shows, I thought she looked fab. She's posted photos on her Instagram too though in typical Helen style they're selfies of just her lap or feet to show shoes/accessories and the models walking at the shows rather than herself posing. She seems interested in fashion and does have a stylist I believe

One more point on the SOS and my award for staged photo shoot of the week goes to Strictly alumni Mr Mark Wright. Topless and riding quad bikes in formation with the boys in the Dubai desert. Nuff said

As long as we're still talking about style ...

Based only on the tour candids and a few red carpets, I'd say Helen has great style. Idiosyncratic and sometimes kooky, but definitely stylish in the Vogue sense. I also love Anita's style (expect the rare occasions when she dresses a bit too young.) I think Janette and Aljaz both have great dress sense, as does Len. Georgia hasn't impressed me (either boring basics or unflattering to her figure), Bruno and Craig both looked like mutton dressed as lamb in the tour candids, and enough has been said Kevin and Karen's unique style.

Well said Lou Love this thread brilliant idea.




Have been watching their Foxtrot back yet again, gorgeous Also their early Waltz, I'd forgotten how many beautiful moments there are in it.

I'm enjoying reading up on the Gleb news, I agree that noone (except perhaps Claudia) could take adoration of him too far


Agree about both.

Kevin's leather look He definitely suits the suits better....so to speak. I do however love Joanne's individual style (though wasn't sure about the heeled wellies for dance demos on ITT).