In August, the BBC confirmed the Strictly Come Dancing 2022 line-up, with 15 new celebrities stepping out on the dancefloor.
One of the biggest names is Ellie Simmonds, who will be trading the swimming pool for the ballroom during this year’s premiere.
The pre-recorded launch show will air tonight at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with the first live show airing the following day, Saturday September 24 at 6.45pm.
Ellie was born with a form of dwarfism and has used her success as a sports star to raise awareness about the condition, both in the UK and abroad.
Here is everything you need to know about Ellie Simmonds and her disability.
Who is Ellie Simmonds?
(Image: PA)
Ellie was born on November 11 1994 in Walsall and rose to fame when she became a gold medallist at the 2008 Paralympics.
Her swimming career began when she was just 11 years old after she moved to Swansea to use the city’s best swimming pool.
Since then she has gone from strength to strength, as both a sports star and broadcaster.
In 2009, she was even awarded an MBE during the New Year Honours, making her the youngest person in history to be given the accolade at just 14 years old.
She topped this in 2013 when she was awarded an OBE for her services to Paralympic sport.
What is Ellie Simmonds’ disability?
(Image: Getty Images)
Ellie Simmonds was born with the most common form of dwarfism in the UK, known as achondroplasia.
The condition affects how some of the bones develop, particularly bones in the limbs, especially in the upper arms and thighs.
It can also affect facial features, as there are problems with the development of bones in the skull as well.
Around 25,000 people are estimated to be born with the condition in Britain.
The condition is not directly linked with genetics either, as the majority of people born with it have average-sized parents.
Last year, Ellie fronted the BBC documentary Ellie Simmonds: A World Without Dwarfism, regarding a controversial new drug that has been touted as the potential end to the condition.
The drug is specifically targeting achondroplasia, Ellie’s form of dwarfism.
Ahead of the documentary’s premiere last year, Ellie said: “This is a subject close to my heart. Growing up these drugs weren’t available to me and had they been, I don’t know what my parents would have done.
“But I wouldn’t change myself. I love who I am and I am glad that I have dwarfism because I think my body is strong and beautiful.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
