Model and actress Ellie Goldstein to make Strictly history
Model, actress and disability campaigner Ellie Goldstein has joined the line-up for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, making her the first star with Down’s syndrome to take part in a regular series of the dance show.
She follows in the footsteps of TV presenter George Webster, who was a contestant on the 2022 Strictly Christmas special.
Goldstein was added to the line-up for Strictly’s 23rd series on Wednesday alongside two more new names – former England rugby union captain Chris Robshaw and Drag Race UK finalist La Voix.
Nine celebrities have now been revealed for Strictly, which will air on BBC One and iPlayer from September to December. Others are expected to be confirmed in the coming days.
Down’s Syndrome Association chief executive Carol Boys said they were “absolutely thrilled that Ellie has been chosen”, and it was “a wonderful recognition of her hard work”.
“It’s so important for other people who have Down’s syndrome, as well as the wider community, to see representatives in big shows like Strictly,” she told BBC News.
“We will be cheering Ellie on every week and can’t wait to see her on the dance floor!”
Here is the line-up so far:
Ellie Goldstein
In May 2023, Goldstein became the first model with Down’s syndrome to feature on the cover of British Vogue, and also made history in similar fashion by leading a campaign for Gucci.
Earlier this year, the 23-year-old joined the cast of BBC children’s period drama Malory Towers – based on the books by Enid Blyton – playing Nancy.
The east Londoner told BBC Breakfast she was “honoured and excited” to be joining Strictly, which she wants to win, and hopes to be paired with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin because she wants to marry him.
“It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream,” she added. “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.”
La Voix
La Voix became a fan favourite last year while finishing as a finalist on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
The cabaret singer and entertainer is no stranger to the small screen, having also appeared on ITV’s Queens For The Night and been a semi-finalist on Britain’s Got Talent.
“I’ve performed for royalty, RuPaul and Simon Cowell, but nothing fills me with more excitement (and quite a bit of terror) than the thought of dancing in front of millions on live Saturday night TV,” she said.
La Voix is the alter ego of Chris Dennis, 45, who says he also wants viewers to get to know the man behind the drag act.
Chris Robshaw
Former England and Harlequins rugby captain Robshaw, 39, was revealed on Scott Mills’ BBC Radio 2 breakfast show on Wednesday.
He earned 66 caps for his country, leading them to a Six Nations Grand Slam victory in 2016.
“This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets!” he said of joining Strictly.
“I’m hoping to take my dad dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class. Let’s see if a rugby sidestep works in the Cha Cha Cha.”
George Clarke
YouTuber and podcaster George Clarke was revealed as the sixth celebrity contestant for this year’s contest on Radio 1 on Tuesday afternoon.
The British social media star – also known as George Clarkey – has millions of followers across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
Known for his comedy clips, online commentary and viral videos, he also co-hosts The Useless Hotline Podcast with Max Balegde.
Speaking of his latest venture, Clarke said: “Honestly, I’ve got no idea what I’m doing but I’m excited to get stuck in … and potentially fall over a fair bit.”
Balvinder Sopal
Known to millions as Suki on EastEnders since 2019, Sopal is the fifth celebrity contestant to be announced for this year’s show.
Before EastEnders, she appeared in other programmes including Call The Midwife, Doctors and Waterloo Road.
“Working on EastEnders and being a part of Strictly Come Dancing is the stuff that dreams are made of,” said the 46-year-old.
Revealed in a broadcast live from Albert Square on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, Strictly’s fifth named contestant for this year said had already done ballroom and Latin dancing “as a hobby”.
“I think when you’ve got a passion for something, you’re naturally inclined to enjoy it,” she noted. “I’ll enjoy it but I don’t know if I’ll be any good.”
Dancing, Sopal went on to say, was about “telling the story with your feet and your body” as opposed to with words.
Alex Kingston
The English actress is known for starring in TV shows like hit US medical drama ER (playing Dr Elizabeth Corday from 1997 to 2004), Doctor Who (as River Song between 2008 and 2015) and 1996’s The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders (which earned her a Bafta nomination for playing the title role).
The 62-year-old has also appeared in films including Croupier and Boudica, and her stage credits range from playing Lady Macbeth opposite Sir Kenneth Branagh to Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
In a statement announcing her participation in Strictly, she said: “Aaaaagghhh!!!!!!”
Dani Dyer
Dani Dyer shot to fame when she starred on Love Island in 2018, winning the reality TV show with Jack Fincham. They split later that year, and she married West Ham striker Jarrod Bowen this May.
“Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year!” the 29-year-old said. “I feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.”
She is also known for teaming up with her dad, actor Danny Dyer, for a string of projects including podcasts Sorted with the Dyers and Live and Let Dyers, and travelogue series Absolutely Dyer: Danny and Dani Do Italy.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
The Dutch footballer was one of the most prolific strikers in the Premier League in the late 1990s with Leeds United, and with Chelsea in the early 2000s. He won 23 caps for the Netherlands.
He has gone on to manage clubs including Queens Park Rangers, Northampton Town and Burton Albion, and was a coach for the England national side alongside Gareth Southgate.
“Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge!” said Hasselbaink, 53. “Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.”
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Aikines-Aryeetey is a former Team GB sprinter and was the first athlete to win gold medals at both 100m and 200m at the World Youth Championships. In 2005, aged 17, he was won the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award.
He has competed at two Olympic Games and is a three-time European champion and two-time Commonwealth champion.
In 2023, he was unveiled as Nitro in Gladiators, and took part in last year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special partnered with Nancy Xu.
“I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly family this series and I’m ready to give it all I’ve got,” the 36-year-old said.
Two new professional dancers are also joining the line-up this year – Alexis Warr, who won US dance series So You Think You Can Dance in 2022, and Australian-born Julian Caillon, who has appeared as a professional dancer on three seasons of Australia’s Dancing With The Stars.
Last year’s series was won by comedian Chris McCausland, who became the programme’s first blind victor, with dance partner Dianne Buswell.
But the show, which has been airing since 2004, has also faced a number of controversies over the past year relating to the behaviour of some of its professional dancers and celebrity guests.
Last week, the BBC launched an investigation into alleged drug use by two Strictly stars, who have not been named, after The Sun on Sunday reported alleged cocaine use.
Meanwhile, professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima left the show last year following allegations about their behaviour towards their dance partners.
The BBC announced new welfare measures for Strictly last July. These include having chaperones in all rehearsal rooms, adding two new welfare producers and providing additional training for the professional dancers, production team and crew.
