I was on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022 but I’m a nobody now – here are five secrets this year’s cast need to know

ELLIE Simmonds has offered up secrets to the new class of Strictly Come Dancing.

It’s been a year since the Paralympic swimmer, who has a type of dwarfism, made history on the show.

Since then she’s been working with SHEBA Hope Grows on the world’s largest coral reef restoration programme.

Now she’s handed over some advice to the new cast hoping to wow viewers with her talent.

“The experience just flies, it goes so so quickly”, said Ellie.

“I would say to everyone, just soak every day in. Enjoy every second because you don’t know when it’s going to be your last.

“Days fly by and it’s over before you know it.”

She added: “I would say my top tips are to use blister plasters a lot.

“Try to wear your shoes in, even when you’re not actually dancing. That’s what sore.

“Really look after yourself. Keep hydrated and take snacks on training days because they’re really long. And drinks lots of coffee. Me and Nikita lived off of double expressos.”

Reflecting on Strictly’s return this autumn with stars including  Angela Rippon, Amanda Abbington and Krishnan Guru-Murthy.

“It’s so sad it’s all over for us,” said Ellie.

“Especially seeing the new cast be announced and the new season kicking off.”

She joked: “It’s like, we’re finished. We’re last year’s news.”

Ellie finished in tenth place on Strictly last year alongside her professional dance partner Nikita Kuzmin.

“I’m actually so excited for this year,” she said.

“I’m really hoping Nikita wins.”

Earlier this summer, Ellie visited the iconic SHEBA Hope Reef in Indonesia where she took part in the world’s largest coral restoration programme HOPE Grows. 

The 28-year-old worked with the local community and Mars team learning and getting stuck in with the coral restoration process from building and coating reef stars to planting and tying them together underwater.

“It’s sparked my new passion for the ocean. I want to do something about conserving it.

“I’ve got such a platform to talk about it and show people how beautiful the ocean is and how many beautiful things are in it.”