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Wales Online
28-05-2025
- 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.
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Strictly's Ellie Simmonds admits she 'cried so much' in heartbreaking family insight
Strictly's Ellie Simmonds admits she 'cried so much' in heartbreaking family insight Ellie Simmonds, a Paralympic swimmer who appeared in the 2022 series of Strictly Come Dancing, has shared emotional insights into the first time she made contact with her birth mum Ellie was left visibly upset by the conversation with her biological mum (Image: ITV GRAB ) Former Strictly star Ellie Simmonds has opened up about the emotional "journey" of establishing contact with her birth mother, revealing that she "cried so much" during the process. Ellie, a celebrated Paralympian with five gold medals to her name, has given an intimate look into her initial heart-wrenching interactions with her biological mother. The Strictly Come Dancing alum, who lives with achondroplasia, a genetic bone growth condition causing dwarfism, was put up for adoption at just ten days old. Now 30, Ellie has since forged a connection with her birth mother, starting with letters and eventually meeting face-to-face, but the experience of writing brought her to tears. Ellie won five gold medals during her successful swimming career (Image: ITV ) In a candid interview with the Guardian in 2023, she described how the situation made her "really emotional" saying: "Going through this whole journey, I cried so much." Article continues below Ellie's status as a celebrity added an extra layer of complexity. She didn't want her birth mum to "get to know" her simply because she was famous; she wished to be seen "as a person." Yet, unbeknownst to Ellie, her mother had discovered her identity over a decade prior, and had been quietly supporting her from afar, choosing to let her daughter "get on" with her life without interference. On the day of their meeting, despite initial nerves, Ellie found comfort as soon as they met: "I was very, very nervous. Then as soon as she walked through the door, all those nerves just disappeared, and we just hugged and cried." What she initially planned as a brief 15-minute meeting turned into a five-hour chat, with Ellie revealing that her mum was similar to her, was talkative, and made her feel comfortable. Ellie appears in a new documentary, 'Ellie Simmonds: Should I Have Children?' (Image: BBC ) Fast forward to this year, and Ellie features in an emotive new documentary titled 'Ellie Simmonds: Should I Have Children?' In the film, her birth mother discloses heartbreaking reasons for relinquishing her daughter. During an emotional phone call, her biological mother confessed: "All I could see was your disability. You can make excuses, but I really did struggle. "I grieved the child that I thought you should have been. It was the biggest decision of my life. To give your biological child away... it was momentous. 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." Previously, Ellie's birth mother recounted how she had concealed her pregnancy and faced childbirth alone. Nonetheless, after Ellie's adoption, her mother said she reflected on her every single day. Article continues below She detailed how she'd watched her daughter at the Beijing Paralympics and had been her "number one fan". Her mum added that she's proud of her daughter and knows what a "fabulous woman" she is. You can watch 'Ellie Simmonds: Should I Have Children?' today (Tuesday, May 27) from 9pm to 10pm on ITV.
