Swimmer Ellie, 27, who was cheered on at four Paralympic Games as she brought home eight medals including five golds, has a form of dwarfism that causes shorter limbs.
On Saturday 4ft 1in Ellie wowed 6.8 million viewers with a sassy chacha with 5ft 10in Ukrainian pro-partner Nikita Kuzmin, 24 scoring 26 points from the delighted judges.
She revealed afterward, however, that trolls had posted vicious, upsetting barbs about her.
Ellie 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. People have reached out to me, it's been so touching."
Strictly fans rallied to her defense, saluting her courage and praising her thrilling performance on the hit entertainment show.
One tweeted: "Those trolling Ellie Simmonds absolutely disgraceful.
Bravery
This story is from the September 27, 2022 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 27, 2022 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SPURS IN FREE FALL AS BLUES RISE UP
Damaging setback to Ange's top-four hopes
Rocker cleared of threat over gun stage move
Gesture deemed not threatening
We arrived at Juno, battleships were firing ...we were petrified
WHEN D-Day hero Albert Fenton was hauled out of camp and told he was going to see his commanding officer he thought his war was over.
Dine and dash lawyer struck off
Disgraced solicitor failed to pay for £43 takeaway and Harvester meal
'Daddy's girl' sues after millionaire's 'secret will' snub
THE \"daddy's girl\" daughter of a £55million tycoon is fighting in court after she was left \"dumbfounded\" at being cut out of millions in his \"secret\" will.
Police scour farm after two men shot
THIS is the remote farm where a suspected teenage burglar was shot dead and his alleged accomplice left badly injured in what police believe to be a bungled break-in.
Jay Blades and 'broken' wife split after 18 months
THE wife of TV presenter Jay Blades has announced the end of their 18-month marriage.
War crime claims over West Bank boy's killing
ISRAEL has been accused of a possible war crime over the killing of an eight-year-old boy in the West Bank.
Ditching PM would make Tories look like a maniacal cult
WE DIDN'T need the local election results to tell us that the Conservatives are in deep trouble and their chance of winning the next election is vanishingly small.
New chief for Death in Paradise
Gilet to replace Ralf Little
