New Strictly It Takes Two host Ellie Taylor rushes son, 2, to hospital after he was left 'struggling to breathe' while on holiday

Ellie Taylor has had a disastrous summer holiday, revealing she had to rush her two-year-old son to A&E on the first night of their seaside break.

Before she starts her major new job as the host of Strictly It Takes Two, Ellie headed off on a family holiday to the Sussex coast with her husband and their two children.

Updating her Instagram followers, Ellie, 42, revealed it wasn't exactly the restful break she was hoping for.

Sharing a series of snapshots, Ellie explained that as soon as they arrived at their Airbnb her toddler son 'decided to upgrade his mild cough to full blown struggling-to-breathe-croup'.

She ended up having 'a late night trip' to Chichester A&E with her little boy, sharing a barefaced selfie as she joked: 'I've been to A&E five times with this child and it's always when I'm serving make-up-free & knackered hag.'

Once her son was prescribed a course of steroids, the pair were 'home by midnight and determined to crack on and enjoy a few days on the beach after all the lovely sun we've had'.

The next slide revealed though that the family woke up to pouring rain. 

Ellie explained that 'croupy child seemed a little perkier so we thought we'd try out dinner. YAY!'

'But then obviously he fell over on the gravel on the way and cut his leg. Boo.'

She shared a photo of herself in a blood-spattered pink t-shirt, writing: 'Here is me after being a human plaster for his hurty knee after I carried him the rest of the way.'

'He wailed throughout the meal which lasted approximately 12mins. Shortly after this I spilt my drink over my phone and said 'for f**ks sake' louder than is OK for a family restaurant'. 

'I'd say the hols was 46% endurance, 29% coughing and 13% saying 'we used to have such a nice life'. 

Ellie concluded her post by quipping: 'Nothing like being on holiday dreaming of being on holiday. Are you even a mother if you haven't said the phrase "Everyone's getting on my t*ts" at least once by the time the breakfast buffet opens.'

Earlier this month Ellie was announced as the new host of It Takes Two, taking over from Fleur East and Janette Manrara as part of the BBC's massive shakeup of their flagship show.

The news was revealed on Radio 2 during new Strictly host Emma Willis's show.

Ellie, who competed on Strictly back in 2022, joined Emma on her programme for a 'Strictly special' where her new role was announced, as Emma gushed she is 'so glad they are in it together'. 

Emma told listeners: 'With me right now is the brand new host of It Takes Two! Mystery host of It Takes Two...' before revealing it was Ellie.

Ellie said: 'I am over the moon! I feel giddy. So nice to get the secret out. I've had the theme tune in my head since I found out... I was like 'stop it woman!'

'It was the same when I found out I was a contestant. I am so thrilled to be back in the Strictly world. I found out a month ago, but I've been a good girl.

'I told mummy and my partner. I didn't tell the kids.' 

Sharing a statement about the news, Ellie said: 'What a total joy to return to Strictly in this new role. I feel incredibly honoured to follow in the footsteps of the phenomenal line-up of hosts who've made Strictly: It Takes Two so loved over the years. 

'I can't wait to immerse myself in all the gossip and sequins flying out of the ballroom in order to bring my fellow Strictly fans everything they need to know. I'm so excited, I could cha cha! (But I won't – don't worry… no one needs to see that again.)'

Ellie was hotly tipped to be announced as the new host of the show earlier this month after the former hosts were axed.

The show has had a huge overhaul ahead of the 2026 series as main presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have been replaced by Emma, comedian Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe while several pros have been given the boot.