Ellie Goldstein is set to make television history as the first person with Down’s syndrome to compete in the main series of Strictly Come Dancing. The announcement, confirmed on 13 August 2025, marks another groundbreaking milestone for the 23-year-old model who has spent her career shattering barriers and redefining representation in the fashion and entertainment industries.
Medical Predictions to Global Recognition
When Ellie Goldstein was born in December 2001 in Ilford, Essex, doctors delivered a devastating prognosis to her parents. They were told she would never walk, talk, or amount to anything due to her Down’s syndrome diagnosis. At five months old, she underwent life-saving cardiac surgery to repair holes in her heart, spending weeks in intensive care.
These dire predictions could not have been more wrong. By 18 months, Ellie Goldstein was walking. She was speaking by her third birthday and reading when she started school. Her parents, Mark and Yvonne, made the crucial decision to raise Ellie as their daughter first, putting her Down’s syndrome diagnosis to one side.
Breaking Barriers in Fashion and Entertainment
Ellie Goldstein began her modelling career at 15 when her mother discovered Zebedee Management, an inclusive talent agency championing disabled and visibly different models. Her breakthrough came in 2018 with Superdrug’s Christmas advertisement, launching her into the media spotlight.
In 2020, she made international headlines as the face of Gucci’s Unconventional Beauty campaign, becoming the first model with Down’s syndrome to represent the luxury brand. The campaign photograph, featuring Ellie Goldstein wearing Gucci Mascara L’Obscur, garnered over 800,000 likes on Instagram and became Gucci’s most popular post in history.
Her most significant achievement came in May 2023 when Ellie Goldstein appeared on the cover of British Vogue, making history as the first model with Down’s syndrome to grace the magazine’s cover. The milestone was part of Vogue’s disability issue titled “Reframing Fashion,” celebrating disabled trailblazers across fashion, sport, and the arts.
Expanding into Acting and Advocacy
Beyond modelling, Ellie Goldstein has successfully ventured into acting. In July 2025, she made her dramatic debut in CBBC’s historical series Malory Towers, playing Nancy Maher in the show’s sixth series. The role represents another first for Down’s syndrome representation on British television.
Her advocacy work through Mencap, the learning disability charity, has positioned Ellie Goldstein as a powerful voice for inclusion. As a “Mencap Myth Buster,” she works to challenge misconceptions about people with learning disabilities and promote societal acceptance.
Cultural Impact and Representation
Ellie Goldstein’s influence extends beyond individual achievements to broader cultural change. In 2023, she collaborated with Mattel to launch the first Barbie doll with Down’s syndrome, complete with facial features and body shape typical of the condition, plus a necklace featuring “The Lucky Few” three-arrow design symbolising Trisomy 21.
Her appearances across major magazine covers including Glamour, Elle, Mission Mag, and Euphoria demonstrate the fashion industry’s gradual shift toward authentic representation. Campaigns for Adidas, Victoria’s Secret, and other major brands have normalised disability in mainstream advertising.
The Strictly Come Dancing Milestone
Speaking about her Strictly Come Dancing participation, Ellie Goldstein expressed her excitement: “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”.
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Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Mencap, praised the casting decision: “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”.
Addressing Representation Challenges
Ellie Goldstein’s success highlights ongoing challenges in UK media representation. Recent research by the Creative Diversity Network revealed that disabled people make up only 7% of television employees despite comprising 18% of the UK population. The report suggested that at current progress rates, proper representation won’t be achieved until 2041.
Her participation in Strictly Come Dancing addresses this imbalance directly. The show’s commitment to diversity and inclusion reflects broader industry efforts to improve representation, with initiatives like the TV Access Project and “Doubling Disability” campaign pushing for systemic change.
Personal Achievements and Awards
Throughout her career, Ellie Goldstein has accumulated numerous accolades. She won Glamour’s Game Changing Model of the Year award in 2021 and received the Inspiration Award for Women in 2024. Her autobiography “Against All Odds,” published in September 2023, chronicles her journey of defying expectations.
The publication of her children’s book “Ellie” in 2024 further demonstrates her commitment to inspiring young people with disabilities. The book teaches children they are not defined by their differences or disabilities, extending her advocacy work to the next generation.
Looking Ahead
As Ellie Goldstein prepares for the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom in September 2025, she joins a distinguished lineup including Love Island winner Dani Dyer, EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, and former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Her participation represents more than entertainment; it’s a powerful statement about inclusion and the capabilities of people with learning disabilities.
The model’s journey from a child doctors said would never walk or talk to a global fashion icon and television star embodies her own message: “Never give up on your hopes and dreams, be who you are and always be happy. Just go out there and rock it”. With Strictly Come Dancing, Ellie Goldstein continues to prove that with determination and support, any dream is achievable.
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