Ellie Goldstein flashed a proud smile as she stepped out after becoming the first celebrity with Down syndrome to join Strictly Come Dancing.
The trailblazing Down syndrome model, 23, has seen huge success in her career and has now achieved another major milestone after joining the 2025 series of Strictly.
She admitted it felt like a 'dream' to be joining the star-studded cast, having been a longtime fan of the programme herself, and she has garnered much praise from fans.
Ellie looked overjoyed as she stepped out from the BBC Studios in Salford on Wednesday morning just moments after the news was made public.
She cut a stylish figure in a pink polo shirt and matching sequinned skirt, which she styled with chic white Mary Jane shoes.
Ellie's casting on the BBC dance competition has already garnered her much praise, with learning disability charity Mencap leading those voicing their support for her.
Ellie Goldstein flashed a proud smile as she stepped out after becoming the first celebrity with Down syndrome to join Strictly Come Dancing
Ellie looked overjoyed as she stepped out from the BBC Studios in Salford on Wednesday morning just moments after the news was made public
Jon Sparkes OBE, Chief Executive of the charity, said: 'We are so proud to see our Mencap Myth Buster Ellie revealed as a celebrity dancer for this year's Strictly.
'Ellie has never been afraid to push boundaries, and this is just another way to show what people with a learning disability can achieve with the right support.
'At Mencap we know how important it is for people to feel seen, included and recognised.
'We really hope that seeing Ellie do her thing on a Saturday night will start important conversations among the millions of viewers, so we can all move towards a more inclusive society.
'It shouldn't be unusual to see someone with a learning disability sharing their talents and we hope this prompts more shows to include them. Go Ellie! We are with you all the way.'
When the news was shared to Instagram, the Strictly cast and other celebrities also took to the comments section to cheer on the Vogue model.
Pro dancer Gorka Marquez wrote: 'Welcome to Strictly Ellie!!' while Dianne Buswell echoed him with: 'Welcome so exciting.'
Former celebrity contestant Tasha Ghouri simply commented a series of love hearts while the show's judge Shirley Ballas added: 'Welcome to the family darling.'
The trailblazing Down syndrome model, 23, has seen huge success in her career and has now achieved another major milestone after joining the 2025 series of Strictly
Amid her hugely successful career, Ellie was involved in helping Mattel to launch its first ever Barbie with Down syndrome
And Motsi Mabuse sweetly gushed: 'Ellieee. Welcome to the Strictly madness! Get ready for glitter, giggles and a whole lot of dancing. I'm so excited to see you on the dance floor this season!'
Ellie shared her joy over signing up for Strictly in a statement where she admitted it would be 'challenging' but promised to 'make some magic'.
She said: 'I'm absolutely over the moon to be joining the cast and pros of Strictly Come Dancing this year.
'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. Let the Strictly journey begin!'
She will be joining the likes of former Love Island star Dani Dyer, Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston, Gladiators star Nitro and rugby player Chris Robshaw on Strictly, with more names yet to be confirmed.
It is not Ellie's first foray into celebrity competitions as she featured on Great British Bake Off's Stand Up To Cancer celebrity special earlier this year.
She appeared on the show alongside the likes of television host Kate Garraway, TV presenter Sarah Beeny, Loose Women's Gloria Hunniford and actress Meera Syal.
Ellie is a model, actress and influencer who became the first model with Down syndrome to grace the cover of British Vogue (pictured on the catwalk in June 2025)
When Ellie was born, doctors said that she would 'never walk or talk', and one nurse suggested that her parents might want to 'leave her' at the hospital, but she has defied all expectations
'I've done so much modelling and I love it,' she previously told Daily Mail. 'And I adored doing the Barbie job — it was great to finally see a doll that looked like me'
Ellie began her modelling career in sixth form when a friend of her mother's had seen the manager of an 'inclusive' talent agency, Zebedee — which works with people with disabilities and visible differences — on daytime television.
She was added to the agency's books in 2016 and just eight months later, Ellie starred in Superdrug's Christmas advert.
When Ellie was born, doctors said that she would 'never walk or talk', and one nurse devastatingly suggested that her parents Yvonne and Mark might want to 'leave her' at the hospital.
But she has defied all expectations since her birth in December 2001, making history as the first model with Down's syndrome to feature in major international campaigns.
Her mother Yvonne previously told how Ellie wanted to be famous from the age of two and her 'outgoing' and 'bubbly' personality has helped her achieve all her dreams.
She's had a hugely successful career as a model, actress and influencer, and memorably became the first model with Down syndrome to grace the cover of British Vogue.
Ellie was also the first model with Down's syndrome to ever appear in a campaign for Gucci and has become a very sought-after name in the fashion industry.
She graced the cover of Glamour UK at the age of 18 in an edition which honoured the new faces shaking up fashion and proving it can be inclusive.
Ellie has been flown to Sweden, Italy and Germany for photoshoots, and strutted her stuff on the catwalk at London Fashion Week
Ellie (pictured in 2023) graced the cover of Glamour UK at the age of 18 in an edition which honoured the new faces shaking up fashion and proving it can be inclusive
Strictly is not Ellie's first foray into celebrity competitions as she featured on Great British Bake Off's Stand Up To Cancer celebrity special earlier this year
Her mother Yvonne previously told how Ellie wanted to be famous from the age of two and her 'outgoing' and 'bubbly' personality has helped her achieve all her dreams
At the time, Ellie told how she prefers to appear without any retouches or editing in her photoshoots to show off her 'real beauty'.
'I'd rather be as natural as possible without retouching or filters and show my real beauty,' she explained at the time.
'People have to ''get me'' and see my personality not the disability.'
'The change I want is for other brands to use models with disability hidden or not. Everyone deserves a chance and to achieve what they want,' she added.
Ellie has been flown to Sweden, Italy and Germany for photoshoots, and strutted her stuff on the catwalk at London Fashion Week.
She helped create her own dress for Adidas, which was pale pink with 'Role Model' written on the back, and the brand also made a statue of her near London Bridge.
After her milestone achievements in promoting inclusivity in fashion, Ellie headed to Paris in 2023 to receive a prestigious Business of Fashion award in a worthy recognition.
Ellie was also involved in helping Mattel to launch its first ever Barbie with Down syndrome and helped to promote the doll after its release.
'I've done so much modelling and I love it,' she previously told Daily Mail. 'And I adored doing the Barbie job — it was great to finally see a doll that looked like me.'
Additionally she has featured in campaigns for TK Maxx, Victoria's Secret and the Body Shop, and is also an ambassador for the learning disability charity Mencap.
STRICTLY LINEUP 2025
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Age: 36
Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator
Harry says: 'I'll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let's hope I'm as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.'
Alex Kingston
Age: 62
Profession: Doctor Who actress
The actress teases: 'My hips don't lie'
Balvinder Sopal
Age: 46
Profession: EastEnders actress
Balvinder says: 'I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.'
La Voix
Age: 45
Profession: Drag performer
She says: 'Strictly is a national institution and I can't wait to get started. All that's left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here's hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.'
Dani Dyer
Age: 29
Profession: Reality star, 2018 Love Island winner
Dani says: 'Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year! feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.'
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Age: 53
Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.
He says: 'Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.'
Ellie Goldstein
Age: 23
Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador
She says: 'It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream'.
Chris Robshaw
Age: 39
Profession: Rugby player
He says: 'This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! 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'.
