Making a SPLASH!

ELLIE SIMMONDS on why she’s embracing the Strictly experience

- VICTORIA WILSON.

 STRICTLY COME DANCING

SAT, 6.45PM, BBC1 ENTERTAINMENT

As a long-time fan of BBC1’s entertainment juggernaut Strictly Come Dancing, Ellie Simmonds is delighted to be part of the celebrity class of 2022. ‘I’m bursting with excitement!’ beams the five-time Paralympic gold-medal-winning swimmer, 27, who retired from competition following the Tokyo 2020 Games. ‘I’ve been watching Strictly from as far back as I can remember – it’s a traditional lead-up to Christmas with my family – and it’s a genuine privilege to be part of it.’

After the show’s launch event was postponed to Friday 23 September following the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II, this Saturday is set to see the competitors and their professional partners take to the floor in the first live show. They’ll perform their first routines in the hope of impressing returning judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood.

Here, Ellie, who was born with achondroplasia, a type of dwarfism, tells TV Times about her dance journey so far…

How thrilled are you to be competing in the 20th series of Strictly?

Oh my gosh! I keep having to pinch myself! It was so hard keeping this secret as I wanted to tell everyone.