Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Simmonds' 'sadness' as she opens up on Nikita's new partner

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Ellie Simmonds has expressed sadness that her time on Strictly Come Dancing has been and gone as she opened up on her thoughts on her dancer's new partner.The Paralympic gold medallist participated in the BBC ballroom dancing show in 2022 and was paired with Nikita, 25, for the 20th series.The duo went far in the series but were eliminated in week seven of the dancing competition after a dance-off between Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu.Now a year on from her involvement in the show, Nikita is now dancing with Bad Education actor Layton Williams as the pair made their live dancefloor debut last Saturday, reports the Mirror.When asked on the red carpet of the JustGiving Awards how she felt watching Strictly rather than competing, Ellie confessed: "Do you know what, it’s like I’m so happy for them – Nikita’s got Layton and I’m rooting for them all the way, I hope they win.

Their first dance on Saturday night was phenomenal."But, also, it’s a bit like, ‘Oh I want it to be me again’, so I’ve got a bit of excitement that I’m watching it but also sad that I’m not… yeah I’m like on board with the nerves and everything they’re going through and all the hair, the makeup, the whole department behind the scenes. "It’s like a family and to see Nikita dance with someone else I’m like ‘Ohh’ but I’m so joyous as well because he’s got Layton who is phenomenal."Of her former Strictly dance partner, the athlete said: "Nikita clicks with everyone, that’s him.

He did a good job with me last year and Tilly the year before. He keeps shining each year."Despite her support, the star admitted Nikita and Layton, 29, have some major competition in this series as Katya Jones and Nigel Harman's first performance was the talk of the evening last week. "