'My dream is to be Strictly's first transgender contestant - I would make history again'

MAFS UK star Ella Morgan has her sights set on the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom as she hopes to break boundaries and raise awareness for the transgender community

Ella Morgan made history when she became the first transgender contestant on Married At First Sight UK - and now she wants to set a record again.

The reality TV favourite, who has just finished starring in E4's Celebs Go Dating, has her heart set on a completely different kind of celebrity show and wants to join the star-studded cast of Strictly Come Dancing. Ella, 29, stepped out on the red carpet to celebrate the Pride of Britain Awards earlier this week, dressed in a dazzling silk gown.

While at The Mirror's event, she spoke to us about her goal to raise more awareness for the transgender community. She said: "My dream is to be Strictly's first trans contestant. It would be groundbreaking. The people who watch Strictly more than likely don't watch MAFS or reality TV, so they wouldn't necessarily have met or seen someone trans before."

Ella continued: "It would educate them and create more public understanding." In recent years, Strictly has shown more diversity and given same-sex partnerships and disabilities a platform to raise awareness, with deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis winning the competition in 2021. This year, the show's first blind contestant, Chris McCausland, is the fan favourite to win.

In 2023, a source suggested that Ella had her sights set on the ballroom and claimed she had been promised a chat with BBC bosses - but she didn't make the cut for this year's cast. The source told Mail Online: "It would be a dream come true for her, obviously she would adore wearing the sparkly costumes, but also the message it sends to the nation about her transition."

They added: "All she has ever wanted it to be accepted. Strictly has never been afraid of being inclusive or alienating viewers and that has worked in their favour, as now it's drawn in new audiences. Bosses want to continue reaching new viewers and breaking boundaries, a transgender contestant will certainly be a Strictly first."

As well as the dance competition, Ella wants to tick off more reality shows. She told The Mirror: "I really want to do I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here. I'm scared of everything, so I think I'd be the first one voted out, or the one voted for every trial."

Keeping tight-lipped about her upcoming appearances, Ella added with a wink: "And maybe another show soon..." While ITV's Dancing On Ice has already released its next line-up, BBC's Celebrity Traitors is yet to confirm its cast for 2025 - so it's possible we could see Ella on our screens in the New Year.

Fans will know Ella best for her on-screen marriage to Nathanial Valentino on MAFS UK. After Nathanial sensationally quit the show, she formed a connection with fellow participant JJ Slater - who is now in a relationship with Katie Price. Meanwhile, Ella is loved up with her boyfriend, hair stylist Alex James, whom she met on the E4 celebrity dating show.

When Ella was unwell and had to take some time out from filming, Alex proved himself a gentleman and sent her flowers to wish her a quick recovery. He then went on to surprise her with a tattoo, which left her stunned but over the moon.

Opening up about their fresh romance, Ella gushed: "Life has been amazing since Celebs Go Dating. I've got my man. I love him. I literally love him." Sharing an insight into the couple's next big move, she continued: "We've talked about marriage, moving in and me meeting his son."

She went on: "The show completely changed my love life. After 30 years, I finally have a boyfriend. I'm still in shock that it happened to me. I genuinely never thought I would meet someone after 10 years of not dating. I had started to think that I was the problem and I would always be lonely. Being trans, I have more struggles to contend with. I thought I would always be on my own."

But Alex has restored Ella's faith in love. She said: "I'm really grateful I have found someone that I have an amazing connection with. It's not about being trans, it's not a fetish for him. We actually haven't even spoken that in-depth about it, and that's the first time for me with any guy I've dated. He just says, 'You're Ella to me' and I love it."