Strictly Comes Dancing’s Motsi Mabuse appears to comfort Ellie Simmonds as they arrive back at hotel after the show
STRICTLY Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse gave Ellie Simmonds some kind words of wisdom as she became emotional following the live show.
The Paralympian, 27, danced a Quickstep to Peppy and George by Ludovico Bource, with Strictly Come Dancing pro Nikita Kuzmin, in the BBC show's Movie Week.
Yet despite being praised for her running sections in the sequence, and how she got into character, Ellie seemed upset in the aftermath.
She and Strictly favourite Nikita Kuzmin scooped a total score of 27 which saw them safely nestled in the mid-table spot.
Though this appeared to be troubling her when she returned to the hotel and things took a more emotional turn.
Ellie was seen wiping something from her eye as she stood in the hotel lobby wearing a cosy jacket, leggings and trainers.
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Motsi - who is the big sister of former Strictly pro Oti Mabuse - placed her hand tenderly on Ellie's arm as she attempted to reassure her.
The judge had switched up her glam white dress in favour of a comfy hoodie and took the time to make sure the star was OK.
After the reassurance, the sports ace appeared in a brighter mood as she clutched hands with Motsi and said farewell.
Ellie's worry also came hours before fans were were left furious as the next Strictly star to be eliminated was leaked.
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It has also been an emotional week for Ellie's partner Nikita.
He seems to have fallen foul of the programme's infamous curse after we revealed Nikita and his girlfriend Nicole Wirt had split after five years together.
Ellie previously opened up about her parents' fears after she signed up for the show.
Her mum and dad, Steve and Val admitted they were worried at first when she told them about her plans.
“We were very happy for her but also a little concerned as to how she would deal with the intensity of it, especially if she does well and stays in a long time,” Steve told .
"But deep down there was a real sense of pride in the fact that, once more, she was breaking down barriers and showing that anything is possible."
He praised her daughter's passion and added: "Eleanor has been uncompromising in her belief in herself and who she is.
“We’ve always told her that she can do anything she wants to and Strictly is the next example of her continuing that theme.
“Doing so and continuing to behave in the honest and open way that she does is a constant source of pride for us.”
Ellie, 27, has achondroplasia, a type of dwarfism that results in short limbs and normal-sized torso, and it led to one particular frustration when she was growing up.
Ellie has danced her way into the nation’s hearts — although she admits she was initially nervous about signing up for the show.
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She was worried about how the height difference between her and her partner would work, and feared — justifiably — she might get trolled.
The sports star said: “I’ve had it already. Some people have said, ‘How’s the dwarf going to dance?’ It’s sad and it does get to you.”
