Just days after Helen Skelton announced the end of her eight-year marriage to rugby player husband Richie Myler, rumours emerged that he was in a new relationship – with the daughter of the president of Leeds Rhinos club, where he plays.
Helen was snapped looking glum outside her home last week amid the reports.
Close pals of the Countryfile host, 38, revealed she was left "bewildered" by her marriage breakdown from 31-year-old Richie, which came only four months after the arrival of their third child, daughter, Elsie. The couple also share sons, Ernie, six, and Louis, five.
And insiders say news of Richie’s shock romance with 32-year-old Stephanie Thirkill has been a further twist of the knife.
A source says, "While Richie insists there was no crossover, Helen can’t help feeling betrayed and her mind is now spinning and questioning everything that led up to their split.
"While she has no evidence to suggest the romance began before their marriage collapsed, she can’t help wandering if his attraction and friendship with Stephanie was the real reason their marriage broke down."
Confirming their split on Instagram last month, the former Blue Peter star told her 278k followers, "Very sad to say that Richie and I are no longer a couple."
She added, "He has left the family home. We will be doing our best to co-parent our small children" alongside two broken heart emojis.
The source adds, "Helen’s still in shock and grieving over the marriage breakdown, so to learn Richie may have already moved on has floored her.
"She has a great support network of family and friends rallying around her and amid her heartache and despair, she’s determined to put on a brave face for the children and ensure they remain her number-one priority."