The Paralympic star swimmer talks Strictly shockers, Christmas kisses, and the complexity of becoming a mum as someone with a disability

Cosying up on the sofa with her family this Christmas Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds will be tuning into the Strictly Special. She hopes by then that she will also have something to celebrate - as she has been rooting for her pal Karen Carney to win. Ellie, 31, says: “A fellow sports star! She's doing incredibly. She's literally the kindest, loveliest person ever. She's so sweet, and then, from being a footballer to what she's doing now on the show, is just phenomenal. Her couple's choice blew me away.

“She got through to the semi finals this weekend, so I'm rooting for her. I think she'll win. But you never know, because even last weekend, the

See Full Page