Helen Skelton (born 19 July 1983) is an English television presenter from Cumbria. Since 2008 she has been a presenter on the BBC children's programme Blue Peter. In 2010 she kayaked over 2,000 miles along the River Amazon for Sport Relief. She also ran the Marathon des Sables, after all the other Blue Peter presenters had given up through exhaustion, or through blisters to the feet.

Personal life
Helen was brought up on a farm in the village of Kirkby Thore in Cumbria. She attended Kirkby Thore Primary School, and then Appleby Grammar School.

She attended Cumbria Institute of the Arts where she gained a BA (Hons) degree in Journalism. During her time at college, she worked as an extra on Coronation Street and Cutting It.

Her brother, Gavin, is a professional footballer currently playing for Scottish Premier League side Hamilton Accies. When she joined Blue Peter, she was dating his former Gretna team-mate David Graham; the couple broke up in October 2009.

Helen is a qualified tap dance teacher and has said that if she was not a broadcaster she would be a teacher as "I like the sound of my own voice."

Career
Early career
After briefly working in public relations, Helen decided to concentrate on journalism. She worked in the newsroom at CFM Radio and was involved with various programmes at Border Television, before becoming a breakfast presenter on BBC Radio Cumbria in 2005. She was then a reporter and occasional presenter on children's news programme Newsround

Blue Peter
Helen was revealed as a new Blue Peter presenter on 28 August 2008, replacing Zöe Salmon.
In a challenge for the show, she took an uncredited role in the BBC production of Merlin.

Namibia Ultra Marathon
In April 2009, Helen became only the second woman ever to finish the 78 miles (126 km) Namibia Ultra Marathon. Helen completed the run in 23 hours and 45 minutes - just 15 minutes under the time limit of one day. "It was a gruelling experience, but one I'll never forget. There were tough times but also amazing times," she told Newsround. Just weeks later, she completed the 2009 London Marathon.

Kayaking the Amazon
In early 2010, Skelton kayaked the entire length of the River Amazon for Sport Relief 2010. She kayaked 2,010 miles on a solo journey from Nauta in Peru on 20th January, to Almeirim, Brazil on 28th February, achieving two world records (awaiting verification) from Guinness World Records - the longest solo journey by kayak, and the longest distance in a kayak in 24 hours by a woman.

Conservative MP for the Ribble Valley Nigel Evans tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons after her Amazon challenge:
"That this House congratulates Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton on her 2,000 mile kayak along the Amazon to raise money for Sport Relief; notes her considerable position as a role model to young people and the magnificent example she sets; further notes the forthcoming verification by Guinness World Records of the two records set by Helen during her effort - longest solo journey by kayak and the longest distance travelled in a kayak in 24 hours by a woman; and further notes the work of Sport Relief in raising money to help transform the lives of poor and vulnerable people, both in the UK and all over the world."

Filmography
Radio
* 2001-2004 Main presenter on CFM Radio
* 2005-2007 Main presenter on BBC Radio Cumbria
* 2010- Reporter at the Wimbledon Championships on BBC Radio 5 Live
Television
* 1999 Coronation Street as a temporary character
* 1999 Cutting It as a temporary character
* 2007 Sportsround as a co-presenter with Jake Humphrey
* 2007-2008 Newsround as a reporter and relief presenter then as main presenter
* 2008- Blue Peter as a co-presenter with Andy Akinwolere and Joel Defries