Just PAWFECT

ELLIE SIMMONDS tells us why she's delighted to be back at Crufts

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If there's one event that is likely to make you wish you had a canine companion, it's Crufts. And when TV Times chatted to Paralympic swimming champion Ellie Simmonds as she prepared to join the C4 team of presenters reporting on the pawsome action at the prestigious dog show last year, she was considering welcoming a four-legged friend into her life. So did the experience result in a new pet?

'Not yet!' sighs the five-time gold medallist, 31, as we catch up again for an exclusive interview. 'I've finally moved house, but I'm travelling quite a bit, so it's not the right time - you've got to be in the right position with the time to give. I would still really love to get a dog, though!'

Here, Ellie shares her excitement about returning to the NEC in Birmingham to bring us tales from the four-day 2026 competition alongside Clare Balding and Radzi Chinyanganya, plus new recruit Claudia Winkleman...

How does it feel to be part of the presenting lineup again for Crufts?