BBC promises ‘exciting news’ for listeners after Helen Skelton quit her Radio 5 Live show as bosses say they ‘respect her decision’ and praise the ‘excellent’ host
- Presenter bid an emotional farewell on her Sunday morning slot this week
The BBC today said it ‘respected’ Helen Skelton’s decision to leave Radio 5 Live and called her an ‘excellent host’ – as bosses promised listeners some ‘exciting news’.
The presenter bid an emotional farewell on her Sunday morning slot as she explained she was leaving the show after just a year after struggling to balance work with her family life.
Ms Skelton, 40, shares Ernie, eight, Louis, five, and 19-month-old daughter Elsie with ex-husband Richie Myler, 33, who plays scrum half for rugby league team Leeds Rhinos.
The broadcaster had recently come under fire from BBC bosses for plugging brands during her time working for the corporation.
But today, a BBC spokesman told MailOnline that her departure ‘has nothing to do with any other issue other than those outlined in her sign off’.
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Helen Skelton recently bid farewell to her Sunday slot on BBC Radio 5 Live (she is seen leaving the studio after the announcement)
Ms Skelton has split from her husband Richie Myler, 33, who plays scrum half for rugby league side Leeds Rhinos
Ms Skelton said she wanted to spend more of her weekend with her children- Ernie, eight, Louis, five, and 16-month-old daughter Elsie
They added in an official statement: ‘Helen is an excellent broadcaster who has done a fantastic job hosting Sunday mornings.
‘We respect her decision and look forward to working together with her in the future across 5 Live programming.
‘As for what’s next for Sunday mornings, we will update our listeners with some exciting news in due course.’
Ms Skelton announced her split from Mr Myler – who also plays rugby league for Ireland – in April last year.
Yesterday, her voice broke as she told co-presenter Lloyd Griffith the reason for her moving on.
She said: ‘I am not all right about it but needs must. The juggle is real.’
The TV and radio star said that she wanted to be able to watch her children at their weekend sports fixtures, telling listeners ‘there is an eight-year-old with a sideline who needs me’.
As her show came to an end, Ms Skelton said she had ‘loved every minute of the last year’.
She continued: ‘Thank you to all the team and thank you to all of you. It’s hard to know what to say without getting emotional.’
Ms Skelton was in good spirits as she left the radio studios on Sunday, carrying gifts from her colleagues
Ms Skelton recently came under fire from BBC bosses after plugging brands during her time working on TV show Morning Live. A BBC spokesman told MailOnline that her departure ‘has nothing to do with any other issue other than those outlined in her sign off’
Ms Skelton took over from Laura Whitmore on the 5 Live show last August.
Last week, it was reported that Ms Skelton had been spoken to by network bosses after plugging brands during her time on BBC1 show Morning Live.
The broadcaster had gone against the corporation’s strict guidelines by tagging the brands of clothing, jewellery and cake makers in posts on her Instagram account during her time working for the BBC.
The presenter had plugged brands in her posts including footwear provider Kurt Geiger, luxury womenswear label ME+EM and high-end designer WYSE London.
Regulations state ‘no on-air talent should promote products, goods, services or clothing they use’.
The BBC, which is funded by licence fees, does not allow advertising or product placements on its television or radio outputs, or on its website.
Ms Skelton has since removed the tags and did not receive payment for naming the brands.
A BBC spokesman previously said: ‘Helen pays for the clothes she wears on the show and does not have relationships with the brands tagged. She has now removed brand mentions from social posts linked to the programme.’
It comes as Ms Skelton recently launched herself back into the dating scene.
The television presenter, 39, announced her split from England and Leeds Rhinos rugby league star Richie Myler, 33, in April last year
A source told Closer Magazine: ‘Helen’s family and friends encouraged her to get back out there and she was happy to dip her toe back into the dating scene, but she has had some wobbles and found herself feeling guilty. She’s concerned about who to let into her life and worried about being judged for any decisions she makes.
‘There have also been some people who have made comments about her not trying hard enough to make it work with Richie, and it’s made her think about her marriage and what went wrong.
‘Ultimately, she knows she tried everything she could, and once the trust was broken there was just no going back. But dating again has brought up some unexpected feelings that she’s been struggling with.’
It comes after a source told OK! magazine: ‘After her trust was broken, she’s nowhere near ready for an all-in long-term romance.
‘But she’s not closing herself off to anything anymore. She’s open to new adventures in all respects and is making it her aim to say ”yes” to more things that excite her.’
Ms Skelton took over from Laura Whitmore on the 5 Live show last August
Ms Skelton is also moving on from her ex by putting the marital home they once shared on the market.
A source told The Mirror : ‘Helen has moved on with her life and feels it’s time to start with a clean slate.
‘She’s put the house they shared on the market and is looking for a new place she can move to with the kids in the coming months.’
Since the split, Mr Myler has gone on to have a baby with new girlfriend Stephanie Thirkill, 32, the daughter of Leeds Rhinos president Andrew Thirkill.
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