'She is our number one choice by a country mile': Strictly bosses 'wooing Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds in a bid for next year's line-up'

By Andrew Bullock For Mailonline

Published: 20:29 EST, 13 December 2016 | Updated: 21:19 EST, 13 December 2016

Many a sports personality has donned a pair of dancing shoes to take part in Strictly Come Dancing over the years.

And even though season 14 of the annual celebrity dance competition has not actually ended yet, producers at the BBC have allegedly targeted a Paralympian to compete in the 2017 series.

A Strictly source has told The Mirror that bosses have set their sights on swimmer Ellie Simmonds and placed her firmly at the top of their wish list.

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'She is our number one choice by a country mile': Strictly bosses are wooing Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds to sign up for Strictly Come Dancing 2017

The quintuple gold medalist was in attendance on Saturday's semi-final as the BBC's guest of honour, and it has since been revealed that she was invited along to 'get a feel for the show'.

The source revealed: 'They wanted to introduce her to the Strictly family and for her to get a feel for the place and the programme.

'She had a fabulous time. It's early days. She is our number one choice by a country mile.'

Whether Ellie indeed 'got a feel' for the show on Saturday is yet to be revealed - but bosses did happen to invite her to an episode in which fellow sportswoman Claudia Fragapane was voted off, missing her chance at dancing in the final.

Superfan: A Strictly source has told The Mirror that bosses have set their sights on swimmer Ellie Simmonds and placed her firmly at the top of their wish list

Going for the win? Ellie is just 22 and was already scooping medals at the Beijing Olympics, aged just 13

Ellie is just 22 and was already scooping medals at the Beijing Olympics, aged just 13.

She excelled at London 2012 and was awarded her second bronze and fifth gold at Rio last summer.

The BBC seem keen to book the star, a year ahead before the new series.

Not even Len Goodman's head judge position has been filled yet, hinting that a place in the line up is Ellie's as soon as she says the word.

Top of the wish list: The quintuple gold medalist was in attendance on Saturday's semi-final as the BBC's guest of honour, and it has since been revealed that she was invited along to 'get a feel for the show'

Joining the family? The source revealed - 'They wanted to introduce her to the Strictly family and for her to get a feel for the place and the programme'

The BBC is actively trying to be more inclusive of those with disabilities, in its talent and bookings for their shows.

Ellie has achondroplasia and is only 4 foot tall.

This brings about the question of who she might dance with on the show, as none of the professionals are her height.

However, semi-final reject Claudia - who is a gymnast - is a mere 4 foot 6 inches, suggesting her dance partner AJ Pritchard could be paired with the Paralympian.

If Ellie does appear, she will surely be fulfilling a dream as she has declared herself a Strictly superfan.

She's appeared on this year's spin off show It Takes Two and gushed about how much she loves the series.

'I've loved it!' she told Zoë Ball before declaring that she's backing Danny Mac for the win.

MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment.

The Strictly Come Dancing grand final kicks off on Saturday night from 6:40PM on BBC One.

Ejected! However, semi-final reject Claudia - who is a gymnast - is a mere 4 foot 6 inches, suggesting her dance partner AJ Pritchard could be paired with the Paralympian

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