A much-loved star of Strictly Come Dancing is embarking on a deeply personal journey, exploring the complexities of parenthood in her latest project.
BBC star Ellie Simmonds, a five-time Paralympic gold medallist, is addressing a deeply personal and complex issue regarding the possibility of her having children, specifically the risks associated with passing on a severe form of dwarfism. In her upcoming project for ITV titled "Ellie Simmonds: Should I Have Children?", she will explore the implications of genetic engineering a foetus to avoid hereditary conditions.
The documentary will also delve into the challenges faced by parents who receive diagnoses indicating their children may be born with disabilities. At just 30 years old, Ellie has achieved remarkable milestones, including winning two gold medals at the age of 13 during the 2008 Beijing Games, participating in Strictly Come Dancing, and serving as a sports pundit. But her dwarfism is relevant to any future decisions when it comes to starting a family, she revealed: "I already know that gene changes led to my dwarfism, and if I started a family, there would be a chance that I'd pass it on. There could be complications with the spine and bowing of the legs, leading to reduced walking."
Over the past six months, Ms. Simmonds has consulted with Dr. Melita Irving, a clinical geneticist who specialises in achondroplasia. Dr. Irving provides guidance on pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT), a procedure that allows for the identification of genetic defects in embryos prior to their transfer to the uterus.
Couples opting for PGT are required to choose only 'normal' embryos for implantation, which means that if parents with dwarfism decide to use this approach, their child would not inherit dwarfism.
Ellie is currently single after breaking up with Matt Dean in 2023, who also had achondroplasia and lives alone in her London flat.
