Latest news with #EllieSimmonds
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Heartbreaking moment Ellie Simmonds wipes away tears as she talks to her birth mum about why she put her up for adoption
ELLIE Simmonds was seen wiping away tears as she bravely listened to her birth mum reveal why she was put up for adoption. The Paralympian gold medalist, 30, was Advertisement 6 Ellie Simmonds was seen wiping tears away while she talked to her birth mother on her new ITV doc Credit: ITV 6 Ellie was fostered at the age of three months after being put into care at two weeks old Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 6 Ellie's adoptive parents Steve and Val Simmonds Credit: Business Live When Ellie was just three months old, she was adopted by West Midlands couple Val and Steve Simmonds. She only met her birth mother two years ago, after the swimmer documentary , Finding My Secret Family. In a follow to the Bafta winning doc, last night viewers watched At the end of the powerful documentary brave Ellie chatted to her birth mother - who has remained anonymous - on the phone. Advertisement READ MORE ON ELLIE SIMMONDS The Strictly Come Dancing star wanted to finally ask her why she gave her up for adoption. Before she made the phone call, Ellie said to the camera: "In the two years since we've met, I haven't felt ready to talk to my birth mum about the reasons she placed me up for adoption." Her birth mother was then heard for the first time on TV, as she didn't appear on the first documentary. She then bravely talked about the impact of having Ellie adopted, and the devastating reason why she felt she had to make that decision. Advertisement Most read in News TV Remaining off camera, she said: "It's really quite traumatic. It's hard for you to hear. I don't want to in any way upset you. "You're making a decision at the wrong time of your life, because you've just given birth, your hormones are all over the place. You're physically not right, you're mentally not right." Ellie Simmonds Finding My Secret Family viewers break down in tears as she meets her birth mum for the first time Ellie's birth mum then revealed how after her daughter was diagnosed with dwarfism, cruel medics at the time said this would lead to ridicule "I went to a geneticist and she was very abrupt," she recalled. Advertisement "She said, 'There you go, that's what your baby's going to look like.' "I remember coming back thinking, 'I don't know, I can't cope with this.' "It could have been explained in a nicer manner, because that was my life, you know, that was your life, that was us. "I mean, maybe there was no answers they could have given me, or maybe I wanted a magic wand." Advertisement As she recalled this story for the first time, Ellie could be seen wiping away tears. Her birth mum candidly revealed how she struggled to look beyond 6 Ellie bravely listened to her birth mother recalling her adoption story Credit: ITV "To give your biological child away… it was momentous," she explained. Advertisement "I just handed you over and that's something you really can never get over. "The guilt is horrendous. You live with it all the time." MEETING HER MUM Ellie met her birth mum for the first time at the end of her 2023 documentary. The reunion came after the Paralympian read an old letter handwritten by her mother in which she said she wished she'd had an abortion or that Ellie had died. Advertisement With a social worker acting as an intermediary, Ellie wrote to her mum explaining she wasn't angry and that she wanted to get to know her. She sobbed as she read her mum's reply in which she said she had suffered with "guilt and self-hatred". 6 She won two gold medals at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing Credit: PA Ellie then went to meet her mum for the first time - but this wasn't filmed. Advertisement Afterwards she said: "It was amazing. We spoke about everything over the last five hours. We've got the same sense of humour we were laughing so much. "I felt like her face was just like me. What touched my heart was that she thinks about me everyday and she always sees me as a daughter." 6 Ellie also took part in Strictly in 2022 Credit: PA 'AMAZING' LIFE Ellie maintains she has had an 'amazing life' and has never felt anger towards her biological mum. Advertisement She previously told us: 'I wouldn't be who I am today if my birth mother hadn't made that decision. "I could be someone so different and not have had such a positive life, being around people with different disabilities and going to the Paralympics and having all the opportunities my parents gave me.' Ellie's parents At 11, Ellie moved with Val to Swansea to train with Team GB. Advertisement Two years later she became the youngest British athlete at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, winning two swimming golds.
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Heartbreaking moment Ellie Simmonds wipes away tears as she talks to her birth mum about why she put her up for adoption
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ELLIE Simmonds was seen wiping away tears as she bravely listened to her birth mum reveal why she was put up for adoption. The Paralympian gold medalist, 30, was put into care at two weeks old after being diagnosed with dwarfism. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Ellie Simmonds was seen wiping tears away while she talked to her birth mother on her new ITV doc Credit: ITV 6 Ellie was fostered at the age of three months after being put into care at two weeks old Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 6 Ellie's adoptive parents Steve and Val Simmonds Credit: Business Live When Ellie was just three months old, she was adopted by West Midlands couple Val and Steve Simmonds. She only met her birth mother two years ago, after the swimmer explored her childhood in the 2023 documentary, Finding My Secret Family. In a follow to the Bafta winning doc, last night viewers watched Ellie Simmonds: Should I Have Children?. At the end of the powerful documentary brave Ellie chatted to her birth mother - who has remained anonymous - on the phone. The Strictly Come Dancing star wanted to finally ask her why she gave her up for adoption. Before she made the phone call, Ellie said to the camera: "In the two years since we've met, I haven't felt ready to talk to my birth mum about the reasons she placed me up for adoption." Her birth mother was then heard for the first time on TV, as she didn't appear on the first documentary. She then bravely talked about the impact of having Ellie adopted, and the devastating reason why she felt she had to make that decision. Remaining off camera, she said: "It's really quite traumatic. It's hard for you to hear. I don't want to in any way upset you. "You're making a decision at the wrong time of your life, because you've just given birth, your hormones are all over the place. You're physically not right, you're mentally not right." Ellie Simmonds Finding My Secret Family viewers break down in tears as she meets her birth mum for the first time Ellie's birth mum then revealed how after her daughter was diagnosed with dwarfism, cruel medics at the time said this would lead to ridicule "I went to a geneticist and she was very abrupt," she recalled. "She said, 'There you go, that's what your baby's going to look like.' "I remember coming back thinking, 'I don't know, I can't cope with this.' "It could have been explained in a nicer manner, because that was my life, you know, that was your life, that was us. "I mean, maybe there was no answers they could have given me, or maybe I wanted a magic wand." As she recalled this story for the first time, Ellie could be seen wiping away tears. Her birth mum candidly revealed how she struggled to look beyond Ellie's disability and said she "grieved" for the child she wanted her to be. 6 Ellie bravely listened to her birth mother recalling her adoption story Credit: ITV "To give your biological child away… it was momentous," she explained. "I just handed you over and that's something you really can never get over. "The guilt is horrendous. You live with it all the time." MEETING HER MUM Ellie met her birth mum for the first time at the end of her 2023 documentary. The reunion came after the Paralympian read an old letter handwritten by her mother in which she said she wished she'd had an abortion or that Ellie had died. With a social worker acting as an intermediary, Ellie wrote to her mum explaining she wasn't angry and that she wanted to get to know her. She sobbed as she read her mum's reply in which she said she had suffered with "guilt and self-hatred". 6 She won two gold medals at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing Credit: PA Ellie then went to meet her mum for the first time - but this wasn't filmed. Afterwards she said: "It was amazing. We spoke about everything over the last five hours. We've got the same sense of humour we were laughing so much. "I felt like her face was just like me. What touched my heart was that she thinks about me everyday and she always sees me as a daughter." 6 Ellie also took part in Strictly in 2022 Credit: PA 'AMAZING' LIFE Despite tearful moments in both documentaries, Ellie maintains she has had an 'amazing life' and has never felt anger towards her biological mum. She previously told us: 'I wouldn't be who I am today if my birth mother hadn't made that decision. "I could be someone so different and not have had such a positive life, being around people with different disabilities and going to the Paralympics and having all the opportunities my parents gave me.' Ellie's parents Val and Steve Simmonds adopted four other children, some of which also had disabilities. At 11, Ellie moved with Val to Swansea to train with Team GB. Two years later she became the youngest British athlete at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, winning two swimming golds.
The Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Heartbreaking moment Ellie Simmonds wipes away tears as she talks to her birth mum about why she put her up for adoption
ELLIE Simmonds was seen wiping away tears as she bravely listened to her birth mum reveal why she was put up for adoption. The Paralympian gold medalist, 30, was put into care at two weeks old after being diagnosed with dwarfism. 6 6 6 When Ellie was just three months old, she was adopted by West Midlands couple Val and Steve Simmonds. She only met her birth mother two years ago, after the swimmer explored her childhood in the 2023 documentary, Finding My Secret Family. In a follow to the Bafta winning doc, last night viewers watched Ellie Simmonds: Should I Have Children?. At the end of the powerful documentary brave Ellie chatted to her birth mother - who has remained anonymous - on the phone. The Strictly Come Dancing star wanted to finally ask her why she gave her up for adoption. Before she made the phone call, Ellie said to the camera: "In the two years since we've met, I haven't felt ready to talk to my birth mum about the reasons she placed me up for adoption." Her birth mother was then heard for the first time on TV, as she didn't appear on the first documentary. She then bravely talked about the impact of having Ellie adopted, and the devastating reason why she felt she had to make that decision. Remaining off camera, she said: "It's really quite traumatic. It's hard for you to hear. I don't want to in any way upset you. "You're making a decision at the wrong time of your life, because you've just given birth, your hormones are all over the place. You're physically not right, you're mentally not right." Ellie Simmonds Finding My Secret Family viewers break down in tears as she meets her birth mum for the first time Ellie's birth mum then revealed how after her daughter was diagnosed with dwarfism, cruel medics at the time said this would lead to ridicule "I went to a geneticist and she was very abrupt," she recalled. "She said, 'There you go, that's what your baby's going to look like.' "I remember coming back thinking, 'I don't know, I can't cope with this.' "It could have been explained in a nicer manner, because that was my life, you know, that was your life, that was us. "I mean, maybe there was no answers they could have given me, or maybe I wanted a magic wand." As she recalled this story for the first time, Ellie could be seen wiping away tears. Her birth mum candidly revealed how she struggled to look beyond Ellie's disability and said she "grieved" for the child she wanted her to be. 6 "To give your biological child away… it was momentous," she explained. "I just handed you over and that's something you really can never get over. "The guilt is horrendous. You live with it all the time." MEETING HER MUM Ellie met her birth mum for the first time at the end of her 2023 documentary. The reunion came after the Paralympian read an old letter handwritten by her mother in which she said she wished she'd had an abortion or that Ellie had died. With a social worker acting as an intermediary, Ellie wrote to her mum explaining she wasn't angry and that she wanted to get to know her. She sobbed as she read her mum's reply in which she said she had suffered with "guilt and self-hatred". 6 Ellie then went to meet her mum for the first time - but this wasn't filmed. Afterwards she said: "It was amazing. We spoke about everything over the last five hours. We've got the same sense of humour we were laughing so much. "I felt like her face was just like me. What touched my heart was that she thinks about me everyday and she always sees me as a daughter." 'AMAZING' LIFE Despite tearful moments in both documentaries, Ellie maintains she has had an 'amazing life' and has never felt anger towards her biological mum. She previously told us: 'I wouldn't be who I am today if my birth mother hadn't made that decision. "I could be someone so different and not have had such a positive life, being around people with different disabilities and going to the Paralympics and having all the opportunities my parents gave me.' Ellie's parents Val and Steve Simmonds adopted four other children, some of which also had disabilities. At 11, Ellie moved with Val to Swansea to train with Team GB.
Wales Online
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
'Wonderful woman' Ellie Simmonds praised for brutal honesty on having children
'Wonderful woman' Ellie Simmonds praised for brutal honesty on having children Social media users have showed their support and congratulations to the former Team GB swimmer and her new documentary Ellie was left upset by the conversation she had with her biological mother (Image: ITV GRAB ) The Paralympic swimmer and former Strictly contestant Ellie Simmonds, opened up about her inner conflict about whether or not she should have biological children in her new ITV documentary Ellie Simmonds: Should I Have Children? which aired on Tuesday, May 27. The short film, allows audiences an insight in to life with disabled children as Ellie met with families who have had children with different disabilities. The documentary also saw Ellie have a candid chat with her birth mother, who placed her for adoption just 10 days after she was born. Ellie, who lives with achondroplasia, a common cause of dwarfism, delves in to how her own condition could impact having biological children. Social media users have showed their support for the Paralympian online, saying that she should be proud. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . The former Team GB swimmer shared a post on X saying: "So so proud of this documentary. Cannot thank everyone who let me into their lives and shared their story with me. "Your honesty, bravery and love make this film what it is." She added to the thread of posts: "To be given an opportunity to tackle a subject as sensitive and emotional as this was a privilege I haven't taken lightly. And gosh, was it an emotional journey. Article continues below "Thank you to our director Rosina for being there for me throughout, (inc all my tears!), Emily, Tyler, Colleen, & everyone at Flicker for making this doc. And to Jo Clinton-Davis & team at ITV for recognising the value of a film like this. Representation on TV matters. "I hope people can take away that even with fear, you are not alone and welcoming a baby with a disability is the most amazing thing. "There are some incredible charities and support systems out there should anyone need it. So reach out, talk, and know you're not alone. Content cannot be displayed without consent Social media users took to X to share their support for the documentary: "What a remarkable documentary. So informative and issues sensitively told. You are right to be so proud of this emotional documentary. Thank you Ellie" Another added: "Omg Ellie you are a wonderful woman this programme is so brilliant i can't see through the tears you would be a perfect mother I don't know ow how this doc ends but any child would be blessed to have you" Article continues below One X user even shared their love for the swimmer: "There are so many superlatives I could use to describe #EllieSimonds. She is such a beautiful soul, both inside and out. Her documentary is so informative and poignant." You can now watch Ellie Simmonds: Should I Have Children? on ITVX.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ellie Simmonds breaks down in tears over her birth mother's confession as her moving documentary leaves viewers 'broken-hearted'
Ellie Simmonds left viewers 'broken-hearted' with her emotional documentary on Tuesday, as she broke down in tears during a moving conversation with her birth mother. In the film, titled Should I Have Children?, the Paralympian explores her fears around becoming a parent, and what it would mean if she were to have a child who inherits the genes for dwarfism. Whilst on this journey of whether or not to become a mother, Ellie decided to contact her birth mother, and ask her why she decided to give her up for adoption. Ellie's mother, whose identity has been protected by the swimmer, shared the abrupt way her condition was first revealed. She said: 'We went to a geneticist and she was very abrupt, said ''There you go, that's what your baby is going to look like.'' I remember coming back thinking, I can't cope with this.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Detailing the turmoil she suffered while giving birth to her daughter, Ellie's mother added: 'You're physically not right, you're mentally not right, it's a hard time to make a decision about anything. 'There was a lot in the background going on. I'd given birth on my own.' Ellie's mother then shared that her daughter's disability became 'all she should see,' and said: 'I grieved the child that I thought you should have been. It was absolutely horrendous. I left you and you were my baby. I just handed you over.' Breaking down in tears on the phone, she confessed: 'You really could never get over the guilt. The guilt was horrendous. So you live with it all the time. 'It's something that you'll have that you'll never forget. I thought about you every day. I think sometimes it was quite cowardly, to be honest.' While Ellie was noticeably quiet during the exchange, she could be seen wiping away tears during the call. The entire conversation left many viewers moved, with some praising Ellie for her work on the show. Posts on X included: 'This documentary is breaking me! @EllieSimmonds1 is so brave to speak out, and find out how things have changed. The conversation left many viewers moved, with some praising Ellie for her work on the emotional documentary 'Such an inspirational woman, who has achieved so much - 'there is ability in every disability' Having a year 3 class at our school named after you is a privilege;' 'There are so many superlatives I could use to describe #EllieSimonds. She is such a beautiful soul, both inside and out. Her documentary is so informative and poignant. #ShouldIHaveChildren;' 'I LOVE @EllieSimmonds1! What a woman ����❤️ your documentary is something to be incredibly proud of, as is all of your work for people with disabilities #ShouldIHaveChildren;' 'Ellie Simmonds is breaking my heart #elliesimmonds;' '#ShouldIHaveChildren amazing documentary well done #elliesimmonds �� so informative.' Following the call, Ellie seemed overcome with emotion, but later reflected on the exchange in a voiceover. She said: 'It seems like she held that guilt for a long time. That's sad isn't it? We put a lot of pressure on the mum in society. 'It's amazing that she's so honest and open talking about what she went through.' Ellie was adopted by Steve and Val Simmonds when she was three months old, and grew up with four older siblings.
