Paralympian swimming star Ellie Simmonds lifts the lid on who she wants to win Strictly this year – and reflects on her own ‘life-changing’ appearance in 2022 with Nikita Kuzmin
Paralympian Ellie Simmonds OBE, 31, says there’s one person and one person only that she wants to see lifting the Strictly glitterball as the final of the BBC show looms.
The swimming star, who appeared on the sequin-filled show in 2022 alongside pro partner Nikita Kuzmin, exclusively tells the Mirror, “I’m rooting for Karen Carney – that’s who I’m getting all my mates to vote for at weekends! She’s just incredible.”
“She’s a top sportswoman, which is obviously close to my heart – and to make that transition from football to dancing look so easy… What she’s doing with Carlos [Gu] is phenomenal. I’d love to see her lift that glitterball.”
READ MORE: ‘I tested Christmas dinner boxes from Aldi, Iceland, and Sainsbury’s – there’s one clear winner’
But Ellie, 31, is also rooting for her old dance partner Nikita, she says – who last weekend survived the dreaded dance-off with his partner this year, theatre star Amber Davies.
“Of course, I can’t forget Nikita, he’s doing brilliantly with Amber. We haven’t really stayed in touch since the show, he’s super busy, but he was the best partner – and I follow his journey avidly on social media!”
As for her own trailblazing appearance on the show, which saw Ellie reach week 7, before being eliminated after losing in the dance-off to EastEnders ’ Molly Rainford, she says it was ‘life-changing’.
“It was amazing and it meant so much to me. Strictly is just incredible for representation and educating people on disabilities. What blind comedian Chris McCausland did last year was phenomenal. He, and Dianne Buswell, showed millions of viewers that people – disabled or otherwise – can do whatever they put their minds to. They may have to adapt things to do it – but the sky’s the limit.”
And Ellie feels immensely proud to have the platform to speak openly about disability, and raise awareness. “I feel so privileged – and to do it alongside brilliant people, like comedian Rosie Jones, Sophie Morgan…
“Hopefully we can help children and their parents out there – let them know they’re not alone – and that their child with a disability is going to be OK.”
Meanwhile, Ellie tells us, she’s been busy working alongside the charity Dog’s Trust, who she’s been a Celebrity Ambassador for since July of this year.
She says, “I’ve seen the amazing work they do, and visited their dog’s rehoming centre in Harefield. I was at their Christmas carol service last week. They do amazing work.”
She is supporting a campaign about the Happy Place Index, based on research carried out by the charity Dogs Trust, with 5,000 owners up and down the country, on what makes people’s dogs happy and content.
“We all know dogs become such a huge part of the family – and they can be so therapeutic when you’re going through tough times..
“So it’s about making sure they’re OK. The research has found that dogs have been left on their own for a long time, up to 5 hours which is making them anxious – they say 4 hours is best. There’s lots of tips and tricks on how to decrease their dog’s anxiety when they’re on their own. “
And Ellie is starting her own fostering journey in the New year, she says. “I’ve just moved house, I was renting and have bought my own place so I couldn’t do anything before the move.
“You can adopt or foster – and that could be a week, a month – it gets them away from kennels and used to living in a loving home.”
Before that, it’s Christmas with the family – but the sporting star is feeling a tad unprepared. “ I’m a disaster, I’ve done no Christmas shopping and I only put my tree up last night! But I am starting to feel festive, and I’ll be spending the day up in Birmingham with my family.
“I can’t wait. Then next year hopefully I’ll be welcoming a little four-legged friend home for cuddles!
For more on Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, see www.dogstrust.org.uk.
