Gethin Jones sends poignant message to co-star Helen Skelton amid 'romance'

Gethin Jones has continued to fuel romance rumours with his Morning Live co-star Helen Skelton after he sent her a sweet birthday message on social media.

The TV presenters have been close pals for a while, but their friendship is said to have developed into something more after they were spotted leaving the BAFTAs together back in May. Though they have yet to confirm they are in a relationship, they have been spotted hanging out off set and enjoying a spa day at a country club recently.

In a further clue things are hotting up between the pair, Gethin, 47, took to his Instagram stories to publicly wish Helen happy birthday as she turned 42 on Saturday. Posting a photo of animal-loving Helen surrounded by a flock of sheep, Gethin wrote 'Pen-blwydd Hapus', which is Happy Birthday in his native Welsh.

He then joked: "Having the best time hanging out with your mates," and added a kiss at the end of the message, suggesting their relationship is more than platonic.

The single stars have both had their hearts broken in recent years. Gethin's engagement to Katherine Jenkins was called off in 2011 and he's had a string of short relationships since. While Helen split from ex-husband Richie Myler - who she shares three kids with - back in 2022.

Helen and Leeds Rhinos rugby player Richie, 35, had been married eight years and had just welcomed their third child, Elsie, when he they split. He now has two more children with Stephanie, also 35, whose millionaire father Andrew Thirkill is president of Richie's rugby club.

Shocking her followers at the time, Helen broke the upsetting news on Instagram and said: "Very sad to say that Richie and I are no longer a couple. He has left the family home. We will be doing our best to co-parent our small children."

Writing in her 2023 autobiography, In My Stride, Helen recalled her heartbreaking split and described how she hadn't seen it coming. She wrote: "I was in shock. I know that following break-ups, people often say they didn't see it coming and it sounds like a cliché, but that was me."

Despite Richie leaving her, Helen refuses to cut him out of her life entirely for the sake of their kids. She says she always wants her children to have a father figure and know their parents were once in love and happy. It's for this reason she's decided to keep photos of her and Richie on her Instagram, instead of deleting them. She explained: "I want them to know that we loved each other, but things change and that's OK too."

Welshman Gethin has not been romantically linked to anyone since he dated First Dates star Cici Coleman. In the past, he is also thought to have briefly dated former The Only Way Is Essex star Lucy Mecklenburgh.

Gethin and Helen first sparked rumours of a possible romance in March when they both took part in a 24-hour roller skate challenge for Comic Relief which raised £34 million for charity. Gethin has publicly praised Helen's resilience as he gushed about how he loved spending time with her.

While Helen publicly said of Gethin: "My dear @gethinjonesc... You are some man. I don't publicly say often enough how much love and respect I have for you my friend because I assume it is well known, but for the record you're a legend and I am beyond grateful to have you by my side on the rink, the sofa and beyond.'

So if Helen has found love again with Gethin it would be some happy news. And it certainly looks like it's heading that way. A source told MailOnline: "Helen and Gethin have an extremely close working relationship and there's a feeling in recent months their friendship has blossomed into a deeper connection. They're both keen to keep a lid on it to avoid public scrutiny, but there's no denying their closeness both on and off screen."

READ MORE: Shoppers grab free whitening product that makes teeth look 'ten times better'

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram, Twitter, Facebook , and Threads