Ellie Simmonds: Last News

BBC dancing show with achondroplasia, which is a form of short-limbed dwarfism. Celebs and pros are usually paired together based largely on height, though Ellie and Nikita will have an immediate challenge on their hands due to their difference in stature - Ellie's 4ft to Nikita's 5'9. Speaking to the Mirror ahead of her debut on the dance floor, Ellie said: "I did a little pairing list - I got some but I didn't get other ones.

The wait was finally over and the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing finally burst back onto our screens. The brand new 20th series of the BBC dance contest launched on Friday night (September 23) bringing glitter, glamour and glorious dancing to homes across the nation once more.

Strictly Ballas, 62, assured viewers they would be “so excited” to see this year’s pairings.The Strictly Come Dancing star spoke about the new cast’s “amazing potential” in view of her 235,000 Instagram followers on Friday.Shirley shared a series of photos where she looked glam for tonight’s big launch as she posed next to fellow judge Motsi Mabuse. She captioned the snaps: “And we’re off! Fasten your seatbelts and hold onto your hats for so much excitement over on @bbcstrictly 7pm series 20 this evening for the magnificent launch show. “You will be so excited when you see the pairings, in my opinion they are brilliant.“The launch is one of the most exciting launches ever, be sure to tune in!“Even the judges get to do a twirl which of course I loved lol,” Shirley added.“The cast have so much potential it’s insane, what a tough job the judges have this year.”Shirley then went on to thank the team behind her stunning look, which included a white sparkly number, accessorised with some large, glitzy, drop-down earrings. She then went on to tag fellow judges Motsi, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood. “We are ready,” Shirley confirmed.

Matt Goss is singer-songwriter who shot to fame alongside his twin brother Luke as part of the band Bros.

Strictly Come Dancing has burst back onto screens for its 20th series with Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman back at the helm with the judges back on the panel casting their expert eye. And many viewers of the BBC One dance contest will begin placing their bets in to see who will win the Glitterball this year.

Fleur East is no stranger to big performances and putting on a show but how will she fare in the ballroom? Well, we'll soon be finding out as the singer and radio and TV star is among the 15 stars lined up for Strictly Come Dancing 2022.

Strictly Come Dancing has returned to our TV screens as a host of new contestants have their eyes on the Glitterball trophy.

Hamza Yassin is swapping the great outdoors for the ballroom as one of the 15 celebrities who have signed up for the 2022 edition of Strictly Come Dancing. The wildlife cameraman and presenter was the thirteenth celebrity contestant confirmed for the BBC One dance contest's 20th series.

Strictly Come Dancing 2022.The Loose Women star also gave a small hint of who her professional dance partner will be as she asked fans who they thought will be dancing with her in the new series.In view of her 140,000 Instagram followers, Kaye shared a short clip of a man wearing patent, lace-up dance shoes moving his feet.While she did not disclose whose feet they were, Kaye added a text box at the bottom of the video asking her fans “Who is my partner?”Kaye is set to battle it out for the Glitterball Trophy amongst 14 other celebrities and their professional dance partners.The TV star will be joined by Kym Marsh, Will Mellor and Fleur East, Richie Anderson, Matt Goss, Helen Skelton.Also included in the lineup are Jayde Adams, Ellie Simmonds, James Bye, Molly Rainford, Hamza Yassin, Ellie Taylor and Tony Adams MBE.Ahead of the new series coming out, judge Craig Revel Horwood, 57, said he believes Kaye may struggle with the energetic Latin routines.He told The Mirror: "I think she’ll do quite well at the ballroom stuff, but I’m worried about the Latin."The sex appeal and the hip action and rhythm, things like the cha-cha-cha might prove, a challenge, darling."It’s the selling yourself bare – the costumes are all quite skimpy with the Latin."Kaye took to Twitter last week to shrug off Craig’s comments as she admitted she was “worried” too.Kate penned: "@CraigRevHorwood‘s worried!!?? How does he think I feel?!"Her reaction came after she confessed she had been struggling to sleep ahead of the live performances.Kaye told her followers: "Struggled to sleep last night after the first day of @bbcstrictly strictly rehearsals."Tried to count sheep but couldn’t get past 5,6,7,8."Kaye also revealed she can't dance and was once

Ellie Simmonds is preparing to wow the ­nation on Strictly – yet she is already being bullied online. Brave Ellie, however, who struck gold five times in the paralympics, refuses to let the trolls’ nasty comments take the shine off becoming the show’s first contestant with dwarfism. The athlete, 27, who won 2008’s BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year, hopes to show fans they can achieve anything.

Strictly Come Dancing star Helen Skelton, 39, took to Instagram to share a reel of her moments from the launch show, which included a selfie of her and Kym Marsh, a snap of her sharing a pizza with Ellie Taylor and a group picture of her fellow competitors this series.The presenter will battle it out for the Glitterball trophy alongside; Kym, Ellie, Will Mellor, Richie Anderson, Kaye Adams, Jayde Adams, Ellie Simmonds, Fleur East, James Bye, Molly Rainford, Hamza Yassin and Tony Adams MBE.Despite being rivals, Helen proved all is well behind-the-scenes so far as she told fans she understood why people raved about taking part.In view of her 325,000 followers, she wrote: "Totally understand why people rave about being part of this show in the way they do…"Smiles and laughter are infectious. Very grateful to be part of the class of “22” still in awe this is technically work.Bob Geldof slips up in front of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry"For however long it lasts I have already made memories to last a life time.

Giovanni Pernice has left some of his fans in tears as he shared an important message with them. The dancer is currently busy preparing for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing which returns to screens next Saturday (September 17).

Helen Skelton has laughed off claims her past dance experience give her an advantage as she prepared to take part in Strictly Come Dancing. The Countryfile host is among the 15 celebrities who have signed up for the BBC One dance contest's 2022 series which starts next Sunday (September 17).

Kaye Adams has admitted that she ‘struggled to sleep’ after her first day of rehearsals for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing. The TV presenter, 59, said she counted as many sheep as she could but couldn’t switch off after a nervous first day in her dancing shoes. The Loose Women host is among the stellar line-up of celebrities who will be taking part in Strictly’s 20th year on the BBC.

Kaye Adams has suffered a bizarre Strictly Come Dancing injury during rehearsals for the BBC dance competition. The presenter is one of the celebrities who will be hoping to take home the glitter ball trophy this year, competing against fellow famous faces such as Kym Marsh, Will Mellor and comedian Jayde Adams. Unfortunately, Kaye was left with a truly unusual ailment this week.

Kerry Katona has taken a swipe at the line-up for this year's Strictly Come Dancing, saying: "I haven’t heard of any of them!" The 41 year old reacted to the line-up of this year's Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, which she starred on last year. Speaking about the new batch of stars taking on the challenge, Kerry wrote in her column: "The Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins line-up is one of the best I’ve ever seen.

Loose Women favourite Kaye Adams has been announced as part of this year's Strictly Come Dancing line-up, and already she's thinking about what she will be like on the dancefloor. Kaye, 59, admits she doesn't know what came over her when she agreed to take part in the competition alongside Paralympic swimming gold medallist Ellie Simmonds and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Molly Rainford, as she said: “I’m really not good at all the sexy stuff. "I’m pretty good at performance if it’s jokey because I’m a bit of a show-off.

The new series of Strictly Come Dancing will kick off on September 17, former contestant and TV presenter AJ Odudu has announced.The 34-year-old, who was forced to withdraw from the final of the dancing competition last year after suffering a torn ligament, revealed the news on The Big Breakfast alongside co-host Mo Gilligan. She said: “We do have the exclusive that the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2022 is going to be September 17.

A co-star of Helen Skelton has issued a warning to the BBC about the 'wild' star after she was announced for Strictly Come Dancing. The Countryfile presenter was the 15th and final famous face confirmed for the dance contest with the 2022 series line-up now complete.

Strictly Come Dancing is set for its 20th series this year and the start date for the show has been confirmed. The show's launch episode, which sees the celebrities paired up with their dance partner, will be broadcast on Saturday, September 10. Just like in previous series of the show, the launch episode will be pre-recorded and will be filmed in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

Countryfile presenter Helen Skelton is the latest celebrity to join the line-up for Strictly Come Dancing, and is being tipped to win.