Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ellie Simmonds has spoken out about the online trolling she has received and labelled it as "sad".
Ahead of competing on Strictly, Ellie shared her fears about how the difference in height between her and her partner could impact their performances, and also admitted she was worried about being targeted by trolls.
She said: "I’ve had it already. Some people have said, ‘How’s the dwarf going to dance?’ It’s sad and it does get to you.”
Ellie continued to the Mirror: "When I got the call I did wonder whether I should do it. Then I thought I’d do a leap of faith. You don’t know until you try.”
The swimmer went on to say that her boyfriend Matt, who also has dwarfism, helped give her the confidence to say yes to the competition.
Ellie explained that Matt told her to go for it and that he said "you don't know unless you try".
The Paralympian is the BBC show's first contestant with dwarfism and received an overwhelmingly positive response to her first performance in the dancing competition, as well as excellent comments from the judges too.
Anton du Beke said he thought it was a great performance, telling her: "You powered across the floor, like, 'Okay, here we go,' and your side-by-side work was great."
Craig Revel Horwood, who is renowned as being one of the harsher judges gave glowing feedback. He said: " ‘I have to agree with Anton, the timing, the attitude, the rhythm… fantastic".
Ellie and her partner Nikita Kuzmin performed the cha-cha-cha for their first dance.
Following her debut performance, Ellie said: "I was so nervous. It was so tough but I want to do it again.”
The Paralympian also revealed she isn't used to wearing heels, but has been sporting them for hours at home to get comfortable. She said: “This morning I was wearing them in while brushing my teeth. I never normally do that.”
The athlete has always shone in competition. When she was just 13 years old Ellie was part of Team GB at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic games and took home two gold medals. Ellie became the youngest ever person to receive an MBE.
Viewers watching the Strictly took to social media to defend Ellie and any criticism she faced.
One user said: "What kind of sick human are you to have a go at Ellie Simmonds?
"Making history taking part in Strictly and people abusing her? She's putting herself out of her comfort zone, don't hate just appreciate. You keep going Ellie we are right behind you. #Strictly #Ellie #EllieSimmonds."
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