Strictly Come Dancing 'sign Ellie Goldstein' after she 'breaks barriers'

A huge model is said to have signed up for Strictly Come Dancing. Rumours are currently swirling over who may be taking to the dancefloor this year, but one star is gearing up for a show, first having previously smashed through barriers.

Reports claim that model Ellie Goldstein is the latest famous face who will be dancing in front of Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke, and Motsi Mabuse. Ellie is said to be "thrilled" having already signed the contract for the show, which is believed to kick off in just a matter of weeks.

Ellie, 23, has already broken barriers in the industry, having become the first model with Down syndrome to appear on the front cover of British Vogue back in 2023, as well as being honoured with her own Barbie doll, which is stocked across the globe. It comes after Strictly's Anton Du Beke shared heartbreak over wife's 'cruel and inexplicable' diagnosis.

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"Ellie is thrilled to be taking part in Strictly," a source said. They went on to tell The Sun: "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." The source went on to explain that having Ellie on the show is something that the BBC is "incredibly proud of", as they love to break stigmas. "Ellie is a fantastic signing and they think she could go all the way," the insider added.

She joins the likes of EastEnders ' Balvinder Sopal, Dani Dyer, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Chris Robshaw for the upcoming series. Although CBeebies presenter George Webster appeared in the Christmas special back in 2022, Ellie is the first participant with Downs syndrome to appear on the main show.

And Strictly is something the Essex-born star has always dreamed of. Ellie's parents had been told that she would never be able to talk or walk after being born with Down syndrome; now, she has defied the odds. "I am proving people wrong, and I am a role model for people like me," Ellie said.

She added: "Doctors said I wouldn’t talk, but now I never stop talking! You should always believe in yourself." And she's made it no secret what she thinks of Strictly. She said previously: "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."

Meanwhile, the show has confirmed that there will be two new faces in the professional dancing line-up for this year. Joining the glitzy ballroom this autumn are Alexis Warr from the U.S. and Australia's Julian Caillon, both set to make their debut on the hit BBC One series. Warr made history in 2022 as the first female ballroom and Latin dancer to win So You Think You Can Dance, earning the title of America’s favourite dancer.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Warr said: "I've admired Strictly for years, so joining this incredible family is such an honour. I can’t wait to step into the ballroom, pour my heart into every moment, and share my love of dance with the UK."

Caillon, who specialises in ballroom and Latin American, has appeared as a professional dancer for three seasons of Australia’s version of Strictly Come Dancing, titled Australia’s Dancing With The Stars.

He said: "Joining the cast of Strictly really is a dream come true. I've watched it for years, especially cheering on all the amazing dancers I know and work with who’ve been part of it," adding: "I can't wait to get stuck in, have some fun, and be part of something special!"

The Mirror has approached Ellie's spokesperson and Strictly Come Dancing for comment.