Ellie Goldstein has declared she wants to be an inspiration to other people with disabilities after becoming the show’s first ever contestant with Down syndrome.
The model, 23, who is paired in this year’s competition with pro Vito Coppola and is already a favourite with fans, said the competition would give her opportunity to show ‘what she was capable of’.
When Ellie was born, doctors said that she would ‘never walk or talk’, and one nurse devastatingly suggested that her parents might want to ‘leave her’ at the hospital.
But she has defied all expectations going on to model for Vogue and star in CBBC’s Malory Towers, before signing up for Strictly.
Ahead of Saturday’s first live show Ellie said: ‘Being the first contestant with Down syndrome in the main Strictly series gives me the chance to show everyone who I am, what I’ve achieved, and what I’m capable of’.
‘I hope I can be an inspiration to others watching at home – and most of all, I hope I make people smile and feel happy when they see me dancing!’.
Ellie Goldstein, 23, has declared she wants to be an inspiration to other people with disabilities after becoming the show’s first ever contestant with Down syndrome
The model, 23, is paired in this year’s competition with pro Vito Coppola and said the competition would give her opportunity to show ‘what she was capable of’
Gucci hired Ellie for its Unconventional Beauty adverts, landing her the cover of Italian Vogue in 2020.
She has graced the covers of numerous magazines, including Elle and Glamour, featured in promotions for Gucci Beauty, Adidas, TK Maxx, Body Shop, Boots, Spotify, Victoria’s Secret and Sports Direct, and even hung in the National Portrait Gallery in London on two occasions.
Ellie has been flown to Sweden, Italy and Germany for photoshoots, and has just strutted her stuff on the catwalk at London Fashion Week.
When Mattel launched its first Barbie with Down’s syndrome, the company hired the star to help promote the doll.
‘I’ve done so much modelling and I love it,’ she previously told Daily Mail. ‘And I adored doing the Barbie job — it was great to finally see a doll that looked like me.’
It comes after Amber Davies was announced as the latest addition to the Strictly Come Dancing cast, replacing Dani Dyer after she fractured her ankle in rehearsals.
Love Island star Amber, 28, is a trained West End performer and will make her debut on Saturday night for the first live show of the series – dancing with partner Nikita Kuzmin.
With Amber rounding out the cast, a surprisingly large amount of the celebrities on this year’s Strictly already have prior dance experience.
When Ellie was born, doctors said that she would ‘never walk or talk’, and one nurse devastatingly suggested that her parents might want to ‘leave her’ at the hospital
Ellie said: ‘Being the first contestant with Down syndrome in the main Strictly series gives me the chance to show everyone who I am, what I’ve achieved, and what I’m capable of’
While the purpose of the show is for the celebrity contestants to learn how to dance from their professional partners, it appears many of them won’t need much help at all.
While she may not have long to prepare, Amber has plenty of dance experience behind her.
The star has a Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre and Dance, took dance as a GCSE subject at school, and trained at Danceworld Stage School.
Meanwhile, Emmerdale star Lewis Cope is already a seasoned dancer. The actor learned how to dance when he took on a role in Billy Elliott on the West End.
It has also emerged he previously took part on Sky show Got To Dance where he was a member of a troupe called Ruff Diamond.
The show, hosted by Davina McCall, aimed to find the UK’s next dance superstar and saw contestants perform each week in the hope of winning a cash prize.
Lewis, with Ruff Diamond, reached the final of the 2013 series and finished in fourth place.
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, known as Nitro on Gladiators, also already knows his way around the dance floor.
The Team GB sprinter doesn’t have any professional dance experience but he did take part in the 2024 Strictly Christmas special with Nancy Xu, which will surely give him a leg up when it comes to learning learning the steps in rehearsals.
STRICTLY LINEUP 2025
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Age: 36
Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator
Harry says: ‘I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I’m as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.’
Alex Kingston
Age: 62
Profession: Doctor Who actress
The actress teases: ‘My hips don’t lie.’
Balvinder Sopal
Age: 46
Profession: EastEnders actress
Balvinder says: ‘I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.’
La Voix
Age: 45
Profession: Drag performer
She says: ‘Strictly is a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.’
Thomas Skinner
Age: 34
Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur
He says: ‘Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’
Vicky Pattison
Age: 37
Profession: Reality TV star
She says: ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified.’
Karen Carney
Age: 38
Profession: Football pundit
She says: ‘I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.’
George Clark
Age: 25
Profession: YouTuber
He says: ‘Never thought I’d say this… but I’m doing Strictly! Honestly, I’ve got no idea what I’m doing but I’m excited to get stuck in … and potentially fall over a fair bit.’
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Age: 53
Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.
He says: ‘Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.’
Ellie Goldstein
Age: 23
Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador
She says: ‘It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream’.
Chris Robshaw
Age: 39
Profession: Rugby player
He says: ‘This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad-dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class’.
Stefan Dennis
Age: 66
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.’
Ross King
Age: 63
Profession: Showbiz correspondent
He says: ‘I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes!’
Lewis Cope
Age: 30
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘I’m so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.’
Amber Davies
Age: 28
Profession: West End star
She says: ‘This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life. I’ve watched Strictly with my family since I was younger and to now be part of the show is a dream come true.’