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Ellie Goldstein Joins Strictly Come Dancing as First Full-Series Down Syndrome Contestant

BBC executives say her season will challenge stigmas on its flagship ballroom series

Overview

  • Ellie Goldstein has officially signed up to compete in the upcoming 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One.
  • She will become the first contestant with Down syndrome to take part in a full series, following George Webster’s 2022 Christmas special appearance.
  • The Essex-born model rose to prominence after becoming the first person with Down syndrome on the cover of British Vogue in 2023 and receiving a globally sold Barbie doll.
  • Goldstein overcame early prognoses that she would never walk or talk and now joins fellow celebrities Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Balvinder Sopal, Chris Robshaw and Dani Dyer.
  • She is set to begin training with her professional dance partner in the coming weeks ahead of the show’s launch this autumn.