Strictly star Ellie Simmonds was left gushing over an adorable newborn as she took to Instagram to update her followers.

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ellie Simmonds had some baby news to share with fans as she took to Instagram with a snap of her cradling a newborn.

The Paralympic swimmer, 30, posed in a royal blue turtleneck jumper and black jeans as she posed with her friend Charlotte and her new baby Nirvaan, who was asleep in her lap.

Ellie’s friends Charlotte and Jigar recently welcomed a baby together, and Ellie got to meet him for the first time, gushing: “Meeting baby Nirvaan for the first time. Congrats Charl and Jigar,” alongside a blue heart emoji.

It comes more than a year after BBC star Ellie’s split from her boyfriend Matt Dean, who she dated for two years. A source told The Sun in October 2023: “Ellie and Matt have sadly split but it was amicable on both sides and there remains a lot of love there.

“They preferred to keep their relationship out of the public eye and it was the same with the break up, but both are doing OK.”

Ellie Simmonds cradled a newborn in an Instagram snap (Image: Getty)

The pair had known each other since they were toddlers, but only started dating in 2021. Matt even turned up to the Strictly live shows to support his partner, seen giving her a thumbs up from in the audience.

He proved a huge support to the athlete, with Ellie gushing that he was the final element that inspired her to compete in Strictly. She said: “I was like shall I, shall I not. Then I spoke to my other half Matt, and he was like ‘go for it Ellie, take that leap of faith, you don’t know unless you try.’

Ellie cradled a newborn in a new snap (Image: Instagram)

“Now I’m so happy I said yes. As soon as I did we were bouncing around the kitchen like yay! Like little buzzing bees.”

Now Ellie is thought to be single after her split – though she tends to keep her love life mainly out of the spotlight.