Speculation surrounding the relationship status of BBC Morning Live presenters Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones has been described as "really, really funny" by the pair, according to a new insider report. The co-hosts are said to be playing "silly games" with the ongoing rumours, leveraging the attention to benefit their show's profile.
The On-Screen Chemistry Turning Heads
Chatter that the professional partnership between Skelton, 42, and Jones, 47, had blossomed into a romantic relationship first emerged in May of this year. This followed sightings of the charismatic presenters leaving the BAFTAs ceremony together. Although neither has publicly confirmed a relationship, they were spotted together off-set on multiple occasions throughout the spring.
The rumours of a potential split then circulated a few months later, only to be seemingly quashed in October. On the red carpet at the Daily Mirror's Pride of Britain awards, Jones was photographed with his arm around Skelton, leading many to believe they had reconciled. At the time, a source urged the pair to clarify the true nature of their relationship for the sake of their viewers.
Leveraging the 'Showmance' for Ratings
A fresh source close to the BBC One programme, which attracts an average of 1.5 million viewers, has now revealed a different perspective. They claim the presenters have actively used the speculation to "their advantage". The insider drew a parallel to the successful launch of ITV's This Morning by Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan in 1998, which became a career springboard for the married hosts.
"When they read the rumours that they had got close and were becoming an item they found the whole thing really, really funny," the source stated. "It was harmless: they’re both single and in some ways it was not a long mental journey to put them together - but rather than deny it outright, they’ve used it very much to their advantage."
A Strategic Boost for Morning Live?
The insider suggested that the rumoured chemistry—or indeed a real relationship—could translate into improved ratings for Morning Live. The show continues to perform well under Skelton and Jones' helm but still trails ITV's This Morning in the battle for daytime viewers.
"Morning Live has never been written about so much," the source told the Daily Mail. "This Morning is always the show that’s talked about. Morning Live is seen as the boring version, while the big stars, Cat and Ben Shephard, are television A list."
Another insider framed the situation as a "perfect showmance," noting: "They’ve managed to please their bosses by doing this, the BBC get so cross at This Morning getting all of the attention."
Gethin Jones was one of the original hosts when Morning Live first aired five years ago. Helen Skelton joined him as a co-host in 2023, roughly a year after her separation from retired rugby league player Richie Myler, with whom she has three children. Jones was previously engaged to Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins; their four-year relationship ended in 2011.
