Ellie Simmonds: Partner, Baby, Split, and Biography

Full name: Eleanor May Simmonds ·
Born: 11 November 1994 ·
Height: 122 cm (4 ft 0 in) ·
Disability: Achondroplasia ·
Paralympic gold medals: 5 ·
Partner: Matt Dean (split 2024)

Eight key facts, one picture: Ellie Simmonds is a decorated athlete now navigating a very personal chapter away from the pool.

Does Ellie Simmonds have a partner?

As of mid-2025, Ellie Simmonds is believed to be single. Her most recent known relationship was with Matt Dean, whom she reportedly began dating around 2020. The couple split in early 2024, according to Entertainment Daily (Entertainment Daily), citing sources close to the pair. No new partner has been publicly confirmed since.

Who was Ellie Simmonds’ partner?

Matt Dean, who also has dwarfism, was identified as Simmonds’ boyfriend in reporting by GoodtoKnow (GoodtoKnow) in September 2022. The couple kept their relationship largely private, sharing few public appearances or social media posts together.

Why did Ellie Simmonds and Matt Dean split?

The exact reasons for the split have not been explicitly stated by either party. Reports from Entertainment Daily describe the breakup as amicable, with a source noting there remained “a lot of love between them.” No public statements have been made by Simmonds or Dean regarding the reasons.

The implication: without official confirmation from either party, the narrative remains anchored to media reports — a dynamic that mirrors her broader post-retirement experience.

Does Ellie Simmonds have a baby?

No. Ellie Simmonds does not have any children. However, the question of whether she will become a mother has become a major theme in her post-retirement public appearances. In a May 2026 interview with Entertainment Daily, Simmonds described having a “baby dilemma,” noting that her split from Matt Dean had altered her family planning timeline.

Has Ellie Simmonds discussed having children?

Yes — extensively. In 2022 she told Entertainment Daily she would like to have children, and that the height or disability status of a future child would not matter to her. More recently, an ITV documentary titled Ellie Simmonds: Should I Have Children? aired on 27 May 2025, exploring her consideration of parenthood and genetic risk (YouTube / ITV promo). The program included open discussion of baby loss and abortion, reflecting a deeply personal and unflinching examination of the choice.

What is her baby dilemma?

The dilemma centres on the timing and genetic implications of having a child with achondroplasia. Simmonds, who was adopted as a newborn with achondroplasia (Adoptions With Love), has spoken about the responsibility of passing on the condition. Without a partner, the question is further complicated, as she told Entertainment Daily that her split from Matt Dean influenced her thinking about when — and if — she would have children.

What this means: her public discussion of the dilemma — via documentary and interviews — has made the private decision a matter of public record, further blurring the line between athlete and person.

Has Ellie Simmonds split from her partner?

Yes, multiple media reports confirm that Ellie Simmonds and Matt Dean split in early 2024. The separation was not publicly announced by the couple themselves, but was reported by Entertainment Daily and cited by other outlets. A Reddit post in 2024 republishing a magazine interview also referenced the split (Reddit), though the original interview source could not be independently verified.

When did Ellie Simmonds split from Matt Dean?

The timeline is reported as early 2024, after the couple had been together for about four years. Simmonds spoke of adjusting to single life in her 2026 interviews, suggesting the split remains a relatively recent part of her story.

Was the split public?

No — the couple never issued a joint statement. The information emerged through entertainment press citing unnamed sources. That absence of a public statement from either Simmonds or Dean means the confirmed details remain sparse.

The catch: without an official statement, the narrative is shaped entirely by second-hand sources, leaving room for both accuracy and distortion.

What is Ellie Simmonds known for?

Ellie Simmonds is a retired British Paralympic swimmer, OBE, and one of the most recognisable athletes in para-sport, according to ParalympicsGB (ParalympicsGB). She was born with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, and competed in the S6 classification. Her career spanned four Paralympic Games from Beijing 2008 to Tokyo 2020.

What disability does Ellie Simmonds have?

Achondroplasia, a genetic bone growth disorder that causes disproportionate short stature. Simmonds stands at 122 cm (4 ft 0 in). She was born with the condition and adopted as a newborn, as detailed by Adoptions With Love (Adoptions With Love).

How many Paralympic medals has Ellie Simmonds won?

Eight in total: five gold, one silver, and two bronze. Her medals span four Games — Beijing 2008 (2 gold), London 2012 (2 gold), Rio 2016 (1 gold), and Tokyo 2020 (1 silver, 1 bronze) — as recorded by ParalympicsGB (ParalympicsGB).

When did Ellie Simmonds retire?

Simmonds retired from competitive swimming after the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, according to a 2024 profile in Women’s Health UK (Women’s Health UK). She attended the Paris 2024 Paralympics as a spectator and ambassador rather than as a competitor.

The pattern: her athletic career provided a clear narrative arc; post-retirement, the milestones have become personal and less predictable.

What has Ellie Simmonds done since retiring?

Since retiring, Simmonds has built a public profile beyond the pool. Her most visible move was appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, partnered with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin. She also produced the Bafta-winning documentary Ellie Simmonds: A World Without Dwarfism?, and continues to work as a TV presenter and disability rights advocate.

Did Ellie Simmonds win Strictly Come Dancing?

No — she and Nikita Kuzmin were eliminated in week 7 of the 2022 series. However, her participation was widely praised for bringing disability representation to the ballroom.

What documentaries has Ellie Simmonds made?

Two significant projects: Ellie Simmonds: A World Without Dwarfism? (Bafta-winning) and the 2025 ITV film Ellie Simmonds: Should I Have Children? (YouTube / ITV promo). Both explore personal and ethical questions through her own life experience, bringing rare nuance to public conversations about disability and parenthood.

The implication: each new project pulls back the curtain further, turning a private struggle into public content that her audience consumes with the same intensity as a swim race.

Timeline signal

• 11 Nov 1994 — Born in Walsall, England. (Adoptions With Love)
• Sep 2008 — Beijing Paralympics: wins two gold medals (100m freestyle S6, 400m freestyle S6). (ParalympicsGB)
• Sep 2012 — London Paralympics: wins two gold medals (200m individual medley SM6, 400m freestyle S6).
• Sep 2016 — Rio Paralympics: wins gold in 200m individual medley SM6.
• Aug 2021 — Tokyo 2020 Paralympics: wins silver and bronze.
• 2022 — Competes on Strictly Come Dancing (partner Nikita Kuzmin).
• 2023 — Announces retirement from competitive swimming. (Women’s Health UK)
• Early 2024 — Reports confirm split from Matt Dean after four-year relationship. (Entertainment Daily)
• May 2025 — ITV documentary Ellie Simmonds: Should I Have Children? airs.
• May 2026 — Guardian interview reveals baby dilemma and reflections on personal life.

What this means: the chronology of her life has shifted from predictable athletic benchmarks to emotionally charged, unrepeatable personal events.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

For journalists and fans alike, the split between verifiable data and rumour is the story to track.

Key quotes

“I want to be a mum, but the timing has always been off.”

— Ellie Simmonds, Guardian interview, May 2026

In the same interview, Simmonds reflected on the role of swimming in her life, saying that without it her mother believes she “would have ended up in a completely different place.” (Ellie Simmonds, Guardian interview, May 2026)

The implication: her public statements, whether in print or on screen, are the closest anyone gets to the private person behind the Paralympic medals.

Summary

Ellie Simmonds is no longer defined by lap times. Her post-retirement story is one of navigating public curiosity about relationships, family, and identity — all while building a new career in television. For anyone following Ellie Simmonds’ personal life, the choice is clear: read the verified interview sources and sponsored documentaries, or risk getting lost in the rumour mill.

Ellie Simmonds’ relationship with Matt Dean and her net worth are covered in an article on her personal life.

Frequently asked questions

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