Helen Skelton's Strictly co-star tells her 'love you lots' as she shares simple four-word reaction to turning 40

Helen Skelton's Strictly Come Dancing co-star has told her he 'loves her lots' as he made a rare social media post to mark her birthday. The Countryfile host was flooded with best wishes from her pals and fans on Wednesday (July 19) as she turned 40.

Among those sending their birthday message was Hamza Yassin. Helen and the wildlife cameraman competed against each other at the end of last year in the BBC One dance contest. The pair made it to the final of the 2022 run of the competition alongside Fleur East and Molly Rainford.

And it was Hamza who emerged victorious and lifted the Glitterball trophy following a dazzling finale alongside professional partner Jowita Przystal following the public vote.

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But despite not winning the Glitterball trophy herself with partner Gorka Marquez, which led some fans of the show to say the pairing had been 'robbed', Helen has shown there were no hard feelings through the birthday tribute Hamza shared on her special day.

Taking to his Instagram Story, Hamza shared a picture of himself and Helen taken backstage when Strictly headed to Blackpool for its annual show in the iconic Blackpool Tower ballroom. "Happy birthday to one of the most amazing people I know," the reigning Strictly champ wrote.

"Miss you, and love you lots," Hamza sweetly added before tagging Helen who then reshared the post to her own Instagram Story. And they weren't the only messages she received.

Her professional dance partner Gorka, who announced on the same day that he had become a father-of-two after fiancee Gemma Atkinson gave birth to their son, was among those to wish her a happy birthday on Instagram. Posting a