Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Simmonds wrote an emotional farewell message after being eliminated from the BBC show.
Ellie took to Instagram to thank her Strictly family, judges and her professional dance partner, Nikita Kuzmin, revealing the show “changes lives”.
“I’ve had the time of my life & loved every single second of it. I’ve danced for 7 weeks & performed dances that never in my wildest dreams would have thought I’d do,” she wrote.
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She continued: “Strictly changes lives & it’s changed mine”.
Ellie, a retired Paralympian swimmer with dwarfism, joined this year’s cast to further raise awareness of disabilities through the platform of Strictly.
The star has been vocal about how the show has helped build her confidence and thanked her pro dancer Nikita for aiding that.
“Gosh, you’ve brought back my purpose, you’ve helped me find myself again & found my confidence in myself that I’ve lost this past couple of years,” she penned.
Ellie continued: “I’ll never forget the time you said you’re now so used to dancing with me, average height people feel different. That comment made me tear up inside”.
During Saturday night’s episode, Ellie and Nikita danced a Charleston to Too Darn Hot from Kiss Me Kate. She received the lowest votes from the public and was placed in the dance-off against CBBC star Molly Rainford and her partner Carlos Gu.
The nail-biting dance-off saw Ellie become the sixth Celebrity booted from the show after the judges delivered a unanimous vote to save Molly and Carlos.
Despite being eliminated, Ellie had nothing but kind words for her Strictly family.
“I want to thank the whole Strictly family for giving me this opportunity. SJ, Stef, Joe & Jas. Thank you. To everyone behind the scenes – you make us all feel at home, & like family,” she wrote.
Signing off her message, Ellie thanked fans and viewers for their love and support during her time on Strictly.
“Thanks to everyone for the love & support you’ve given throughout the time on the show & always. It means so much to me. I’m going to…Keeeeeep Dancing”, she concluded.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
