Strictly fans have voiced their concerns for Ellie Goldstein as the ‘upset’ star appeared to be comforted by professional dancers on the first live show.

The model, 23, is paired in this year’s competition with pro Vito Coppola and is already a favourite with fans.

She is the show’s first ever contestant with Down syndrome and on Saturday night performed a cha-cha-cha to Yes, And? by Ariana Grande – earning 17 points.

But later on in the show as host Claudia Winkleman spoke to a La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec about their routine, Ellie appeared to get upset.

She was supported by professional dancers Dianne Buswell, Karen Hauer and contestant Harry Aikines-Aryeetey who put their arms around her and looked to be quietly speaking to her.

Those watching at home noticed the moment and penned on X: ‘I’ve noticed Ellie looking uncomfortable. Also noticed her being supported by other dancers.’,

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Strictly fans have voiced their concerns for Ellie Goldstein as the ‘upset’ star appeared to be comforted by professional dancers on the first live show

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She is the show’s first ever contestant with Down syndrome and on Saturday night performed a cha-cha-cha to Yes, And? by Ariana Grande – earning 17 points

‘Ellie looks a bit upset so it’s lovely to see Harry and Karen comforting her #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.’,

‘Watching #Strictly last night, I noticed that Ellie appeared upset, and was being comforted/reassured by Karen and, I think, Harry?.’,

‘Is Ellie ok? #strictly.’

After the live show she took to Instagram however to share a positive message to say she’d had an ‘amazing day’.

It comes after last week Ellie declared she wants to be an inspiration to other people with disabilities after becoming the show’s first ever contestant with Down syndrome.

She said the competition would give her opportunity to show ‘what she was capable of’.

When Ellie was born, doctors said that she would ‘never walk or talk’, and one nurse devastatingly suggested that her parents might want to ‘leave her’ at the hospital.

But she has defied all expectations going on to model for Vogue and star in CBBC’s Malory Towers, before signing up for Strictly.

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But later on in the show as host Claudia Winkleman spoke to a La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec about their routine, Ellie appeared to get upset

Those watching at home noticed the moment and penned on X: ‘I’ve noticed Ellie looking uncomfortable. Also noticed her being supported by other dancers’

Ahead of Saturday’s first live show Ellie said: ‘Being the first contestant with Down syndrome in the main Strictly series gives me the chance to show everyone who I am, what I’ve achieved, and what I’m capable of’.

‘I hope I can be an inspiration to others watching at home – and most of all, I hope I make people smile and feel happy when they see me dancing!’.

Gucci hired Ellie for its Unconventional Beauty adverts, landing her the cover of Italian Vogue in 2020.

She has graced the covers of numerous magazines, including Elle and Glamour, featured in promotions for Gucci Beauty, Adidas, TK Maxx, Body Shop, Boots, Spotify, Victoria’s Secret and Sports Direct, and even hung in the National Portrait Gallery in London on two occasions.

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The model, 23, is paired in this year’s competition with pro Vito Coppola and is already a favourite with fans

Ellie has been flown to Sweden, Italy and Germany for photoshoots, and has just strutted her stuff on the catwalk at London Fashion Week.

When Mattel launched its first Barbie with Down’s syndrome, the company hired the star to help promote the doll.

‘I’ve done so much modelling and I love it,’ she previously told Daily Mail.

‘And I adored doing the Barbie job — it was great to finally see a doll that looked like me.’