Strictly’s Ellie Goldstein says ‘it makes me nervous’ as she shares ‘best thing’ about BBC show
Ellie Goldstein, the first person with Down syndrome to ever compete on the BBC dance competition, revealed what makes her “nervous” about the hugely popular show
Matt Davies Trendswatch Reporter
15:31, 02 Nov 2025
Ellie Goldstein has revealed what she thinks is the “best thing” about Strictly Come Dancing
(Image: BBC)
Ellie Goldstein has revealed what she thinks is the “best thing” about Strictly Come Dancing, but admitted to one aspect that makes her “nervous”. Ellie, the first person with Down syndrome to ever compete on the BBC dance contest, made the revelation after reported concerns that she’d felt “overwhelmed” during the first live show.
Speaking in a recent interview alongside her Strictly dance partner, Vito Coppola, Ellie revealed what makes her “nervous” about the hugely popular show, as Vito weighed in with words of support.
Ellie (whose partner was recently praised) told Bella magazine: “The crowd being enthusiastic makes me nervous”, with Vito adding: “But we say it’s OK to be nervous because that means that we care.”
She also shared what she believes is the “best” part of the Strictly experience, and it seems it’s all about Vito. Ellie said: “The best thing about being on Strictly is the early starts and being with Vito the whole day.”
Ellie revealed what makes her “nervous” about the hugely popular show
(Image: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty I)
Vito added: “All day, every day, we just want to live life to the full, and make sure we go home with the biggest smiles. For the warm-up, Ellie always chooses the songs. She likes Unwritten (by Natasha Bedingfield).”
In a further detail, Ellie, who was among the final 10 couples on Saturday night (November 1), added that she also enjoys Golden, a track from the 2025 movie KPop Demon Hunters.
Talking prior to the first live show back in September, Ellie confessed to feeling “nervous” about the show. Despite this, Vito explained that they had a “ritual before any performance”.
Speaking to the Sun’s TV Magazine, Ellie said that if she starts to “feel sick”, Vito will calm her down, perhaps with a “piggyback”. Vito then revealed that they have their “own personalised handshake”.
He said: “We already have our own personalised handshake, which we make our ritual before any performance. And I always hold Ellie’s hand, because I told her: ‘When you are with me, you are safe. I’ve got you’.”
Ellie is partnered up with Strictly pro Vito Coppola
(Image: ITV)
In week six of the competition, the yearly Halloween special, Ellie and Vito performed the tango to Lady Gaga’s Abracadabra. In the routine, Ellie, a model who has worked for brands such as Nike, pulled her partner out of a hat.
They scored a total of 27 out of 40 points for their performance, placing them in a precarious position on the leaderboard, with fans sharing concerns that Ellie and Vito were in the so-called “death slot”.
However, others praised Vito for his work with Ellie. One said: “One thing that doesn’t get mentioned enough is how well Vito works with, and choreographs for, the height difference between him and Ellie. #Strictly.”
Another replied: “Exactly! People don’t realise how well Vito has worked with Ellie to get her to a great level. I love this couple and will be voting for them again #Halloween week. #Strictly.”
