Ellie Goldstein’s journey from a hospital bed in Essex to the dazzling lights of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing is nothing short of remarkable. Born with Down’s syndrome, Ellie’s early days were shadowed by daunting predictions and medical hurdles. Her mother, Yvonne, recalls how, on the day Ellie was born, she was told her daughter would never walk or talk. “A nurse asked me if I wanted to leave Ellie at the hospital,” Yvonne shared with BBC News, a memory that still stings decades later.
But Ellie’s story is one of defying expectations at every turn. At just five months old, she underwent an 11-hour open heart surgery—a test of strength for both mother and child. Yvonne remembers, “It was an 11-hour operation. I remember walking round London in silence, just willing the time away.” Yet, as the years passed, Ellie not only walked and talked, she danced, modeled, and inspired countless others with her resilience and dreams.
Ellie’s career began in front of the camera, modeling for iconic brands like Gucci and Adidas and gracing the cover of Vogue. Her ambitions didn’t stop there. “I wanted to be on Vogue, and that happened. I wanted to act, and I got the part on Malory Towers, but Strictly was my big dream,” Ellie told BBC News, her voice brimming with pride. Her acting debut as Nancy in the BBC series Malory Towers recently earned her an Emmy nomination, a “huge shock” she says she’s still processing. “It was my first ever acting role, and it was a beautiful experience.”
But it’s Strictly Come Dancing that captured Ellie’s heart. She manifested her appearance on the show, telling her mum, “I would make Strictly happen.” In 2025, that dream became a reality when she was paired with professional dancer Vito Coppola, making her the first contestant with Down’s syndrome to compete on the BBC series. The partnership quickly blossomed into a deep friendship. “I would be crying backstage, and Vito would be helping me and telling me everything would be OK,” Ellie recalled. Vito, for his part, was effusive in his praise. “Honestly, there are no words I can use to describe how proud I am of you and you did really change my life so much. You made me such a better person,” he told her after their elimination, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.
Their time on the dancefloor was cut short in week six, Halloween week, after a tango to Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” led to a dance-off against Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon. It was the first time since joining Strictly in 2022 that Vito hadn’t made it past the halfway point, a testament to the show’s fierce competition. Despite the disappointment, Ellie called it her favorite dance, and the experience only deepened her bond with Vito. “We’re learning all the dances we didn’t get to do, and we’re going to go bowling and to Nando’s soon,” she said with a grin. The two continue to dance together every week, with Vito sending her nightly voice notes and encouragement.
Ellie’s impact has rippled far beyond the Strictly stage. She’s received hundreds of messages from families of people with Down’s syndrome, each expressing gratitude for her visibility and inspiration. “They say I’ve inspired them, and that makes me happy. I want to show that having Down’s syndrome doesn’t stop you,” Ellie said. Her mother, Yvonne, echoed this pride, noting, “One of the reasons I’m so proud of what Ellie has achieved is that she is helping to change how others see people with learning disabilities.”
The show’s 2025 finale was a star-studded affair, marked by heartfelt tributes and royal attention. Queen Camilla penned a touching letter to outgoing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, celebrating the show’s spirit of friendship and perseverance. “The bonds forged, the struggles overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour” are what have made Strictly such a beloved institution, she wrote. Duchess Sophie, Patron of Mencap, offered special praise for Ellie in a pre-recorded clip, calling her an “amazing” participant and highlighting her barrier-breaking role.
Speculation swirled as reports emerged on December 31, 2025, that Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, might be planning a surprise for Strictly fans in 2026. Drawing parallels to Princess Diana’s iconic 1985 dance with Wayne Sleep, rumors suggest Kate could make an appearance—if not a full routine, then perhaps a guest spot—given her well-known enthusiasm for the show. Slovenian dancer Aljaz Skorjanec, who met Kate at an awards ceremony in 2018, expressed his hope to partner with her, noting, “I was taken aback by everything she knew about the show.” While her recent cancer journey might preclude a dance performance, insiders say an appearance remains a real possibility. No official confirmation has been given by the Palace, but the buzz alone has fans on the edge of their seats.
Meanwhile, Vito Coppola reflected on a transformative year. After joining Strictly in 2022 and winning the 2023 Glitterball trophy with Ellie Leach, 2025 brought new challenges and rewards. He and TV personality Scarlett Moffatt won the show’s Christmas special, earning a perfect score of 40 points. On December 31, 2025, Vito posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, translated from Italian: “Thank you for making my year so right! I owe you the greatest thanks, because you taught me that with love, passion, dedication, sacrifice, persistence, perseverance and determination that we choose how to lead our lives. My biggest fortune is not what I do, what I accomplish or what I have materially, but it is to always be surrounded by people who give me love, so much love, so much that it even hurts sometimes, to be part of something bigger than ourselves, that He gives us smiles and moments of shared happiness, that we will cherish forever in our hearts and, that define happiness!”
Looking ahead, Ellie is preparing for the Strictly tour in 2026 and hopes to finally earn a perfect 10 from the judges—especially from Craig Revel Horwood, her favorite. She’s also manifesting an Emmy win in New York this March and dreams of stepping into TV presenting, perhaps even hosting Strictly Come Dancing herself one day. “I want to be Tess and present Strictly Come Dancing! I told the BBC producers, so maybe it will happen,” she said, her trademark optimism shining through.
Ellie Goldstein’s story is still being written, but her message is clear: with determination, support, and a little bit of sparkle, anything is possible. The dancefloor, it seems, is just the beginning.
