Helen quits radio show for her kids

After 18 months of turmoil that has seen the collapse of her marriage and her ex moving on, new looks at why Helen Skelton has left her radio role

- Rhianna Benson

Helen Skelton shocked BBC Radio 5 Live listeners last week by making the bombshell announcement that she’s quitting her role after just one year on air.

The mum-of-three has reportedly stepped down from the show to “put her family first”, as she continues to manage the aftermath of last year’s brutal separation from her husband Richie Myler.

“It’s been such a turbulent year-and-a-half,” a source close to Helen explained. “The decision to step down from radio again wasn’t easy, but following such dramatic changes in her personal life, she knows the importance of prioritising her and her children’s wellbeing.”

Helen broke the unexpected news of her departure from the Sunday mid-morning slot – which she took over from Laura Whitmore last August – while live on air last week. She told listeners she didn’t want to go “but an eight-year-old will be happy about it”, adding, “I’m not alright about it but, you know, needs must. The juggle is real.”

Closing her segment, Helen, 40, said, “That’s it for me on Sundays for now. Thank you for your company over the last year, I’ve loved every minute of our time together on this show. Thank you to all of the team, thank you to all of you. Maybe we’ll meet again soon. It’s hard to know what to say without getting emotional.”