Ellie Simmonds on Strictly Come Dancing

Alex_Alumni

"She's got an OBE, five Paralympic gold medals, eight World Championship gold medals and 10 European Championship golds, but now Ellie Simmonds' sights are set on the Strictly Glitterball!"

You can read more about one of this year's Strictly hopefuls on the BBC website. 

After Rose Ayling-Ellis' success last year, especially in raising awareness of deaf people and the deaf community to a huge audience, do you feel like including Ellie Simmonds as a person with Dwarfism on the show is a step in the right direction? 

If you've never watched Strictly, do you think a more diverse cast of contestants would encourage you to start?

L_Volunteer

Incredible! 

chloeblue04

I respect Rose Ayling-Ellis for winning Strictly Come Dancing because she has a hard of hearing. I salute Ellie Simmonds for her participation of this year's Strictly Come Dancing. Let's all show some support and encouragement.

Alex_Alumni

Did you watch the first week @chloeblue04? What did you think?

SueHeath

I love the fact that Ellie is getting out there i love it, i know there will be people thinking it doesn't look right  but hey ho she has the right to try and i think she is looking at a role in TV when she's ready for a change, Ellie was also on Blankety Blank the same night, she was brill on that, there was also a contestant with the same condition as Ellie (I think) 
I am not just interested on seeing people with different disabilities on the TV more, but if you noticed on both the programs there were more people of colour and also gay (hope i have said all right as i would HATE to offend anyone)
If any of you watch Gardeners World their are two professional gardeners on the show Sue is amaizing and sorry forgot the other chaps name, he works from a wheel chair, they always say gardening is so good for our mental health and i love the fact the program is showing how people with physical problems can also enjoy gardening.
Sorry i've been waffling on ha ha - it's just something i hope will get ignorant people and cruel kids to except it's life and just because some one is born with three legs doesn't make them an alien - xx

Alex_Alumni

That's very true @SueHeath, a lesson hopefully more people are taking on board these days. I'm glad you're enjoying it

I know Ellie has done lots of presenting on Channel 4 during the Paralympics as well, so I can definitely see a continued career in TV and the media for her! 

chloeblue04

I watched the first week and I have to say that the fans and the audience love her.

Grinchy

We watched her on the show and think she did well, good luck to her

Shuv27

@SueHeath you're absolutely right! No sorry about it! Bless you for your comment!

Karen7788

I like to see sports competitors on strictly as it’s a little out of their comfort zone.I think Ellie did well for her first dance, we all need to expand our horizons once in a while and do something different. 

L_Volunteer

Very true @Karen7788

Alex_Alumni

I certainly enjoyed her waltz this week, it just shows even though there were some tweaks to the traditional hold, this didn't affect the impact and style of the dance at all  

SueHeath

We missed all the TV the weekend hopefully we can catch up x

Alex_Alumni

Oh apologies for any spoilers @SueHeath I hope you enjoy it when you do watch!    

SueHeath

No problem at all @Alex_Scope x