Entertainment
Ellie Simmonds already targeted by trolls after Strictly Come Dancing debut: ‘It’s sad and it does get to you’-Rebecca Sayce-Entertainment – Metro
She stunned the judges during her debut performance.
Ellie is competing in the landmark 20th series of the show (Picture: PA)
Ellie Simmonds has revealed she has already faced trolls following the launch of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The Midlands Paralympian, 27, said she was left feeling deflated after negative comments online, despite receiving compliments from all of the judges and 26 points during her first week after performing alongside professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin.
Ahead of her appearance, Ellie, who has achondroplasia dwarfism which causes a normal-sized torso and short limbs, said she was nervous to sign up for the show due to what keyboard warriors might say.
‘I’ve had it already. Some people have said, “How’s the dwarf going to dance?” It’s sad and it does get to you,’ she told The Sun.
She was convinced by her boyfriend, Matt Dean, to take part in the show which kicked off at the weekend.
She first hit the dancefloor to perform the Cha Cha Cha to DANCE by DNCE.
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The judges praised her performance, which received her an impressive number of points during her first week.
Speaking about her routine, judge Anton du Beke said he thought it was a great performance, and her characterisation was excellent.
‘You powered across the floor, like, “Okay, here we go,” and your side-by-side work was great,’ he commented.
Craig Revel Horwood added: ‘I have to agree with Anton, the timing, the attitude, the rhythm… fantastic.’
The duo was praised by all four judges following their performance (Picture: PA)
Ellie was nervous to appear on the show due to the prospect of online trolling (Picture: PA)
Shirley Ballas praised the couple’s timing, also saying they ‘covered so many of the required elements for Cha Cha.’
Motsi Mabuse was also full of praise, saying she loved the duo and that they allowed themself to enjoy the performance.
Before the show began, Ellie spoke out about her journey on the show and the representation of disabled contestants.
‘The disability representation and dwarfism and it’s so out my comfort zone and it’s about adapting. Nikita and I were saying, ‘How are we going to work it,’ and we’re both in the unknown,’ she told HELLO.
‘He’s never danced with anyone with dwarfism before, I’ve never danced before, so how’s it going to work out.
‘I feel like, I’ve seen Rose do it last year, JJ, Lauren and Johnny… The dwarfism community, I’ve had so many people reaching out, not just in the UK but worldwide like, “Wow Ellie you’re doing this, you’re going to help us and represent us.” It’s a huge, huge honour.’
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6:30pm on BBC One.
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