Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose Ayling-Ellis was the first deaf contestant to appear on the BBC dance show, and amongst the glitz and the glam she found the experience "nerve-wracking".
The 30-year-old star first found fame on EastEnders as Frankie Lewis from 2020 to 2022. Before that, she also had roles in Summer of Rockets and The Quiet Ones.
As she left the show, she spoke to RadioTimes.com and shared: "EastEnders needs to have good credit for [deaf representation], because they actually hired me onto the show to become a regular, full-time. Not many other programmes have done that, so thank you so much to EastEnders for that.
"But because it was so fast-paced – we had directors every four weeks, we had new writers coming in so quickly – it’s not EastEnders’ fault, it’s the whole TV system. It’s not designed with disabled people in mind."
She added: "I'm really happy with my exit, but it's not going to be perfect overnight. It's a lot of work." Her character Frankie left Albert Square for a new life in Scotland after she was harassed when walking home on a night out.
Continuing about her exit from the BBC soap she said that it was "really good to show a deaf character who also experienced how all other women experience sexual harassment – but in her unique way."
In 2021, Rose participated in the 19th series of Strictly Come Dancing and became the first deaf contestant to participate on the show. She was partnered with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice who was later asked to leave the show in 2024 following a series of complaints from actress Amanda Abbington.
The pair made it all the way to the final and they lifted the Glitterball trophy as judge Shirley Ballas described her as an "inspirational young lady".
During the final, Rose and Giovanni performed their Couple's Choice routine again which saw them dance without music for 20 seconds as a tribute to the deaf community. The performance meant they won the Virgin Media Must-See Moment award at the 2022 BAFTAs.
After Strictly, Rose made history once more as she was the first deaf live sports presenter for Channel 4 at the 2024 Paralympics, as well as the first celebrity to sign a bedtime story on CBeebies Bedtime Stories. Last year, she was awarded an MBE for her services to the deaf community.
While the star has kept her romantic life out of the limelight, she was in a long-term relationship with Sam Arnold who she dated for seven years before they split in 2022.
It was reported that they decided to end on good terms after not spending as much time together due to different commitments and Strictly Come Dancing.
Rose confirmed her split during an interview with The Telegraph in December 2022. Opening up, she shared: "I felt, from the start, like I had known him for a very, very long time… if that's part of what 'love at first sight' can mean?"
On Wednesday (26th March), Rose will be returning to viewers screens in a new two-part series on BBC One, Rose Ayling-Ellis: Old Hands, New Tricks. It follows a group of older people taking on the challenge of learning British Sign Language alongside the support of Rose.
She shared: "I knew filming this show would be a challenge, but what I have experienced teaching the residents sign language has gone beyond my expectations. It is an experience I will cherish for a lifetime, and I just can’t wait for viewers to see the series."
In 2023, Rose starred in a film Signs for Change with BBC that saw her take viewers on a personal journey into the deaf experience and whether or not attitudes are changing.
Clare Sillery, Head of Commissioning, Documentaries, added: "Rose’s previous film did so much to raise awareness of the reality of life for deaf people in the UK and I’m really pleased that she is back with this important new project. I hope that this new series, which brings warmth and compassion to a major public health issue, will have a similar impact and demonstrate the value of BSL in all our lives."
