Strictly’s Ellie Simmonds wows viewers and has crowd on their feet with incredible routine
STRICTLY star Ellie Simmonds wowed viewers last night as she performed her first routine with pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin.
Five-time Paralympic gold medallist swimmer Ellie, 27, who is the BBC show’s first contestant with dwarfism, had the crowd on their feet with an energetic cha-cha-cha to Dance by DNCE.
She won high praise from the panel of judges on the first live show of the series.
Head judge Shirley Ballas gave a standing ovation after Ellie’s dance.
She said: “Your timing was beautiful. You’ve obviously got musicality. It was great.”
Fellow judge Anton du Beke said: “That was marvellous, a great performance. You powered across the floor, your timing was excellent.”
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Craig Revel Horwood said Ellie had “fantastic rhythm” and Motsi Mabuse, 41, added: “You have focus.”
After getting a total score of 26 out of 40, a delighted Ellie asked: “Can I do it again?”
Also early to win the judges’ approval was former Corrie star Kym Marsh, 46, who performed a jive to Yes by Merry Clayton with Graziano Di Prima.
Bros star Matt Goss, 53, who is paired with Nadiya Bychkova, performed an action-packed quickstep to Sir Duke by the Chris Walden Big Band.
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Countryfile star Helen Skelton, 39, paired with Gorka Marquez, danced a high-scoring romantic American Smooth to You Send Me by Aretha Franklin.
Corrie star Will Mellor, 46, and his dance partner Nancy Xu upped the ante with a lively jive to Livin’ La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin.
And Loose Woman Kaye Adams, 59, the oldest of the celebrities taking part, performed a tango to Voulez-Vous by ABBA.
Wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin, 32, who is paired with Jowita Przystal, impressed with a smooth foxtrot to Islands in the Stream by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.
Last dance of the show was former X Factor star Fleur East, 34, and partner Vito Coppola, who had the studio audience on their feet with their cha-cha-cha to Jennifer Lopez‘ anthem Let’s Get Loud.
Strictly is back with a bang!
Strictly spot
PROFESSIONAL Neil Jones has told pals he is “really disappointed” not to have a celebrity dance partner this year.
A source said it had been “very bruising” for Neil, 40, “particularly as the two male newcomers this year are paired up”.