Headline wins four-way auction for TV presenter Skelton’s In My Stride

Headline has acquired In My Stride: Taking on Life’s Adventures by presenter Helen Skelton in a “hotly contested” four-way auction.

Yvonne Jacob, deputy publishing director for Headline Non-Fiction, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Anna Dixon at YMU. It is scheduled for publication on 12th October 2023.

In My Stride explores the lessons Skelton has learned through life and adventure, sharing how getting out in nature and putting one foot in front of the other can help us journey back to ourselves. The publisher continues: “It tells stories of finding confidence, authenticity, courage, resilience, acceptance, community, and freedom, against the backdrop of incredible challenges and through the power of the natural world.”

Jacob said: “I am delighted to announce In My Stride as my first commission for Headline Non-Fiction. Helen is not only a beloved TV presenter, but also one of Britain’s leading female adventurers. Her ability to dig deep and find the inner strength and resilience to carry on no matter the challenge – physical, mental, or emotional – is what makes her approach to life so remarkable.”

Skelton began her career presenting the children’s shows “Newsround” and “Blue Peter”, where she took on challenges such as the Namibia Ultra Marathon, cycling to the South Pole, and kayaking over 2,000 miles down the Amazon River. She has gone on to present shows of varying focus, from “Countryfile”, “On The Farm” and “Holiday Hit Squad” to the Rugby Super League, Olympics and FA Women’s Super League. She is a regular guest presenter on “ITV Tonight”, “Lorraine” and “Steph’s Packed Lunch” and is also the host of the new-look “BBC Radio 5 Live” Sunday morning show. In 2022, Skelton reached the final of “Strictly Come Dancing”, and took part in the Strictly Come Dancing Tour 2023.

She said: “What a wonderful opportunity to share some lessons, go down memory lane and revisit some epic adventures. I wanted to document tussles in Uganda, marathons in the desert and adventures on the Amazon before the chaos of the school run clouds my brain too much and I forget it all.

"Life has a funny way of presenting challenges and opportunities at every chapter, and I am grateful for this chance to share the lessons that have helped me to put one foot in front of the other in the most inspiring and challenging circumstances.”