Paralympian Ellie Simmonds confirmed as sixth Strictly Come Dancing contestant-Tori Brazier-Entertainment – Metro

Safe to say, she’s extremely excited (Picture: BBC/Getty)

Five-time Paralympic champion and broadcaster Ellie Simmonds has been announced as the sixth celebrity to take to the ballroom floor this autumn in Strictly Come Dancing.

She joins Will Mellor, Kym Marsh, Kaye Adam, Richie Anderson and Jayde Adams in the line-up so far unveiled for the 2022 series.

Upon the news being announced, Ellie said: ‘Oh my gosh!! I’m literally bursting with excitement!! It’s been soooo hard keeping this secret as I’ve wanted to tell everyone. I’m going on Strictly Come Dancing!!’

‘I’m a tad nervous too, well more than a tad… I’m absolutely petrified!’ she admitted.

‘To be asked to be part of the Strictly family is just so exciting and I cannot wait, it’s going to so much fun. I’m counting down the minutes until it starts; learning to dance, meeting my partner and everyone else involved in the show. Plus wearing the sequins and all that, It’s going to be a blast.’

A life-long fan of th show, she added: ‘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.’

Ellie, 27, is a retired Paralympic swimmer, who first rose to prominence over a decade ago, winning two golds for Team GB at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics – when she was just aged 13 years old.

Later hat same year, she was crowned BBC’s Young Sports Personality of the Year.

In 2009, she also made history as the youngest person to receive an MBE from The Queen, aged 14.

Her success continued at the London 2012 Paralympics, where she won a further two gold medals and set a world record in the 400m freestyle.

She added a further gold medal to her heaul at the Rio Paralympics in 2016, where, setting a world record this time for the 200m medley.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

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