The Aporia · Sophie joins Strictly and Traitors stars to mark 80 years of Mencap

Sophie joins Strictly and Traitors stars to mark 80 years of Mencap

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Elston, L. (2026, September 23). Sophie joins Strictly and Traitors stars to mark 80 years of Mencap. Evening Standard. https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/mencap-james-the-duchess-duchess-edinburgh-b1298143.html

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Quick Summary

Sophie attended a Mencap event marking the organization's 80th anniversary in London on Wednesday. The duchess met several notable figures including TV presenters George Webster and Goldstein, who are both ambassadors for Mencap and have Down’s syndrome. During the celebration, Sophie cut a cake with charity members and received a chocolate lollipop of her face as part of the festivities. She also honored Geoffrey Leer, an 80-year-old Mencap supporter, by presenting him with a birthday card.

Written by AI on 2026-09-23, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

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Sophie Goldstein, a model and actress who was the first contestant with Down’s syndrome to compete in Strictly Come Dancing, joined other celebrities at St James’s Palace for an afternoon tea hosted by the Duchess of York. The event marked 80 years since the founding of Mencap, a charity that supports people with learning disabilities. Goldstein performed alongside her dance partner Vito Coppola. Additionally, TV presenter George Webster, who was the first person with Down’s syndrome to be a regular CBeebies presenter, attended the event. The gathering included activities like a chocolate lollipop station where guests' faces were scanned and turned into candy lollipops, inspired by Riccardo Dragonetti from the show *Traitors*, who pledged his potential winnings to Mencap after it had a significant impact on his late brother James, who had global development delay and autism. The event also honored Geoffrey Leer, an 80-year-old man who has been campaigning for over three decades to improve support for people with learning disabilities.

Written for “Sophie Graces Strictly Traitors” on 2026-10-31, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

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Laura Elston

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All 19 articles by Laura Elston →

Claims (16 extracted, 1 hedged)

Sophie joins Strictly and Traitors stars to mark 80 years of Mencap Sophie gathered to mark the milestone as she cut a cake with charity members, ambassadors and the organisation’s myth busters including Goldstein and TV presenter George Webster. asserted

she → join → Goldstein

The duchess was also presented with a chocolate lollipop of her own face by Dragonetti, and was pictured deep in conversation with the former British diplomat-turned household name after receiving the unique gift. asserted

duchess → present → gift

The sweet treat was part of the celebrations, with the charity setting up a chocolate lollipop station which was able to scan guests’ faces including Sophie’s and turn them into a lollipop at the gathering in London on Wednesday. asserted

which → set → Wednesday

Dragonetti, who is now a Mencap ambassador, inspired thousands to make donations after sharing that he wanted to give his potential Traitors winnings to the charity, because of the impact it had on his late younger brother James, who had global development delay and autism. asserted

who → inspire → delay

The duchess, who is patron of Mencap, also met guest of honour Geoffrey Leer, who turned 80 on September 1, and presented him with a special birthday card. asserted

who → meet → card

After retiring, Mr Leer spent more than three decades campaigning to improve the lives of other people with learning disabilities through Bexley Mencap and the Respect Group. asserted

Leer → retire → Mencap

Sophie told him: “What makes Mencap special is meeting lovely people like you. asserted

Mencap → tell → you

Things have changed a lot during your lifetime for people with a learning disability, which is good. asserted

which → change → disability

“They have a voice and opinions and that’s being listened to. asserted

that → have → voice

The next challenge is to have more opportunities for people in workplaces. asserted

challenge → have → workplaces

A lot more people are taking interest in giving people with a learning disability opportunities, but there’s a long way to travel.” asserted

people → take → opportunities

Mr Leer, who has a learning disability, dementia, and sight and hearing loss, still attends the Respect Group and remains passionate about making life better for others. asserted

life → have → others

“Now I’m 80, I think to myself what an achievement. asserted

I → ’m → myself

I wish I could do it all again. uncertain

I → wish → it

That’s how enjoyable it was,” he said. asserted

he → ’ → ?

Model and actress Goldstein, who last year became the first Strictly contestant with Down’s syndrome to compete in the main series, performed at St James’s Palace with her dance partner Vito Coppola earlier this year at an afternoon tea hosted by the duchess. Read More Webster, who performed in the Strictly Christmas special in 2022, made history in 2021 as the first person with Down’s syndrome to be a regular CBeebies presenter. asserted

who → become → syndrome

Sophie joins Strictly and Traitors stars to mark 80 years of Mencap

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Claims (16 extracted, 1 hedged)