EXCLUSIVE: Helen Skelton’s estranged husband Richie Myler claims the BBC star is holding up divorce proceedings over fears he will propose to his new partner

Helen Skelton’s estranged husband Richie Myler has accused the Strictly star of ‘dragging her heels over divorce proceedings’ and ‘preventing him from moving forward with his life.’

The BBC favourite, 40, is yet to sign off their divorce despite receiving the decree nisi approved by the courts saying there is no reason why the couple cannot formally separate.

Richie, 33, and Helen separated in April 2022 and shortly afterwards the rugby league ace started a new romance with Stephanie Thirkill, the daughter of the multi-millionaire President of the Leeds Rhinos club he plays for, and 12 months later they welcomed their first baby together. 

The couple were married for over eight years and share three children, including their youngest Elsie, who was born just four months before Helen announced the end of her relationship with Richie. 

A source close to the exes says that Helen’s refusal to cooperate has left Richie ‘frustrated because he wants to move on with his life’ and ‘nobody can understand her continued delay.’ 

Helen Skelton ‘s estranged husband Richie Myler has accused the Strictly star of ‘dragging her heels over divorce proceedings’ and ‘preventing him from moving forward with his life’

Richie and Helen separated in April 2022 and shortly afterwards the rugby league ace started a new romance with Stephanie Thirkill, the daughter of the multi-millionaire President of the Leeds Rhinos club he plays for

The couple were married for over eight years and share three children, including their youngest Elsie, who was born just four months before Helen announced the end of her relationship with Richie (pictured in June 2014)

They explained: ‘There is a feeling that Helen’s resistance to sign the papers is because she is fearful Richie will propose to new partner Stephanie and she’s just not ready to cope with that.’

A separate source said: ‘Helen is the person who filed for divorce and while it’s incredibly emotional saying goodbye to her marriage, there’s no reason why she would want to prevent it from being official.’ 

MailOnline revealed in August that Helen was issued a decree nisi and from September 26 the former Blue Peter presenter was able to apply for a decree absolute, which will officially end her marriage to Richie. 

But according to a source, Helen, who is the only party that can apply for the decree absolute given she filed for the divorce, and her solicitor have gone ‘radio silent’ and Richie is struggling to understand the reason for the holdup. 

Richie and new partner Stephanie welcomed their daughter Olivia in May, with pals close to the pair saying their long-term plan is to one day get married. 

Two weeks ago, Stephanie commented on an Instagram post shared by Richie marking the end of the 2023 rugby season, saying she was ‘proud’ of him ‘both on and off the pitch.’ 

Meanwhile, Helen is the primary carer for her children Ernie, eight, Louis, six, and 22-month-old Elsie. 

MailOnline has contacted Helen and Richie’s representatives for comment. 

A source close to the exes says that Helen’s refusal to cooperate has left Richie ‘frustrated because he wants to move on with his life’ and ‘nobody can understand her continued delay’ 

Helen is the primary carer for her children Ernie, eight, Louis, six, and 22-month-old Elsie, of whom she shares with ex-husband Richie 

Helen’s heartache sparked her decision to join Strictly last year, with the presenter now admitting that she struggled to feel ‘sexy’ while appearing on the show (pictured in December 2022)

The news follows the release of Helen’s autobiography In My Stride, in which she speaks about the former couple’s split for the first time.

Helen’s heartache sparked her decision to join Strictly last year, with the presenter now admitting that she struggled to feel ‘sexy’ even when encouraged by her professional dance partner Gorka Marquez.

She penned: ‘In week two, Gorka asked me why I didn’t feel sexy.

‘It was an awkward question that immediately made me cringe.

‘Why ask me that? I was just there for the banter. I have never sexy, I was the cute and funny type.

‘He was asking a woman with three children under six, whose husband had just left her and was with another woman, TO BE SEXY.

‘I thought, “Who would feel good about themselves in that scenario?”‘

She also recalls her ‘shock’ at discovering her marriage to Richie was over and says as ‘cliche’ and it sounds, she didn’t foresee their breakup.

Helen added: ‘I was in shock. I know that following break-ups, people often say they didn’t see it coming and it sounds like a cliche, but that was me.’

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