Strictly Come Dancing will welcome a groundbreaking addition to its 23rd series as Ellie Goldstein, the model, actress, and disability campaigner, becomes the first contestant with Down’s syndrome to compete in a regular season of the BBC dance competition.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, with Goldstein joining a diverse line-up that already includes former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw, Drag Race UK finalist La Voix, and Love Island star Dani Dyer. Nine celebrity names have now been revealed, with more expected in the coming days.
Goldstein follows in the footsteps of TV presenter George Webster, who competed in the 2022 Strictly Christmas special, but her participation marks the first time a contestant with Down’s syndrome has taken part in the main competition. The Down’s Syndrome Association has praised the casting decision, calling it “a wonderful recognition of her hard work” and noting its importance for representation in popular culture.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, the 23-year-old said she was “honoured and excited” to join the series and hopes to be partnered with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin, who she described as “good-looking” with a “heart-warming smile.” She also made it clear she was aiming for victory: “It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream. I know it’s going to be challenging, but I’m ready to do it with the glitter and glamour and make some magic on that dancefloor.”
Goldstein has a history of breaking barriers in both the entertainment and fashion industries. In May 2023, she became the first model with Down’s syndrome to appear on the cover of British Vogue, and she has fronted campaigns for major brands including Gucci Beauty, Adidas, and Mattel. In 2023, she worked with Mattel to launch the first Barbie with Down syndrome, describing the experience as “emotional and proud” because it would help children learn that “everyone is different.”
Her acting career has been equally busy. She joined the cast of CBBC’s period drama Malory Towers, based on the books by Enid Blyton, and earlier this year appeared on Celebrity Bake Off in support of Stand Up to Cancer.
This year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up displays a continued effort made by the show to diversify representation, following previous instances that include Paralympian Jonnie Peacock competing in 2017, Rose Ayling-Ellis becoming the first deaf contestant and winning the competition in 2021, Ellie Simmonds participating in 2022 as the first contestant with dwarfism, and last year’s victory by Chris McCausland, the show’s first blind dancer.
Other confirmed contestants for 2025 include former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, EastEnders actor Balvinder Sopal, actress Alex Kingston, social media personality George Clarke, and Olympian Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, known as Nitro from Gladiators.
The new season comes as the BBC looks to move past recent controversies surrounding the show. Last year, allegations of bullying were made against professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, and Graziano di Prima faced accusations of physical and verbal abuse, ultimately leaving the programme after an incident with contestant Zara McDermott. EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick had also been suspended in June for using an ableist slur during rehearsals in 2023.
However, regardless of the difficulties faced, Strictly Come Dancing remains a prominent entertainment program for the BBC and attracts millions of fans every season. The judging panel of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas, and Anton Du Beke will return for the 2025 edition, which will air on BBC One and iPlayer from September to December.
Goldstein’s participation is already generating excitement both within the disability community and among fans of the show, acting as a sign that one of Britain’s most-watched television programmes is continuing to embrace diversity.
Although the competition will be irrefutably intense, Goldstein stepping onto the Strictly dance floor seems to challenge stereotypes and inspire people to chase their dreams regardless of conventional boundaries.
