STRICTLY Come Dancing bosses have signed model Ellie Goldstein for the new series.
Sources said the 23-year-old will be “thrilled” to be among the stars when the BBC1 ballroom show returns next month.
Essex-born Ellie is the first contestant with Down syndrome to take part in a full Strictly series, after CBeebies presenter George Webster performed in the 2022 Christmas special.
A source said: “Ellie is thrilled to be taking part in Strictly. She has broken down so many barriers in her career, from modelling for Gucci to being the first model with Down syndrome to appear on the cover of Vogue.
“Ellie can’t wait to get started on the show and show people what she can do.”
She will join stars including former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, ex-rugby star Chris Robshaw and reality TV’s Dani Dyer.
Ellie’s parents were told she would never be able to walk or talk after she was born with Down syndrome.
However she defied the odds, and Ellie says she now “never stops talking”.
She began modelling as a teen and has worked with brands including Victoria’s Secret, Adidas and Gucci.
In 2023 she became the first model with Down syndrome to grace the cover of British Vogue and was honoured with her own Barbie doll, now sold worldwide.
Ellie said: “I am proving people wrong and I am a role model for people like me.
“Doctors said I wouldn’t talk but now I never stop talking! You should always believe in yourself.”
She added: “Never give up, be who you are and smile all the way.”
She will start training with her Strictly pro partner in the coming weeks.
A source said: “The BBC love to push boundaries and break stigmas so having Ellie agree to take part is something they are incredibly proud of.
“Ellie is a fantastic signing and they think she could go all the way.”
Ellie previously told of her love for Strictly, won last year by blind comedian Chris McCausland.
She said: “My absolute favourite thing in the world is dancing.
“One day I would love to be on Strictly Come Dancing.
“I went to watch it being filmed a few weeks ago, but I didn’t want to be in the audience, I wanted to be on the dancefloor.”
The BBC declined to comment.
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