PARALYMPIC swimming star Ellie Simmonds has signed up to Strictly Come Dancing in a new first for the TV show. The 27-year-old has a type of dwarfism called achondroplasia and is 4ft.
A source said: “Ellie is a real Strictly fan and has been in the studios to watch the live show. “She can’t wait to get started in rehearsals this month. “She has always been conscious of how important it is to see disability on TV, and she is keen to be part of that and inspire as many people as possible. “But she is also hoping to have a lot of fun, and to embrace the challenge of learning to dance.” READ MORE STRICTLYlips sealed Jayde Adams reveals clever way she kept Strictly secret from her loved onesFOOT LOOSE Loose Women star breaks silence on Strictly 2022 as she says she's 'terrified' Ellie was just 13 when she won gold medals in Beijing in 2008 and became the youngest ever recipient of an MBE a year later.
She went on to win nine titles and 15 more medals before retiring after the 2020 Tokyo games. She was awarded an OBE in 2013 and recently fronted BBC documentary Ellie Simmonds: A World Without Dwarfism?
In April Ellie praised 2021 winner Rose Ayling-Ellis for representing the deaf community and added: “There should be much more acceptance and awareness of being different.
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