Deaf News: Rose Ayling-Ellis announced as Strictly Come Dancing contestant

EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis is the 12th confirmed contestant for the next series of Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC has announced.

Rose, who joined the soap as Frankie Lewis last year, is the second Albert Square actress to be waltzing into the ballroom this year, after Nina Wadia (who played Zainab Masood) was revealed as a dancer on Thursday’s broadcast of Lorraine.

“To be the first deaf contestant on Strictly Come Dancing is sooooo exciting – and a little bit scary,” said Rose. “It is the hardest secret I have ever had to keep so it feels amazing to finally have this out in the open!

“I hope I will do the deaf community proud and break down more barriers. But I am also very excited to learn an incredible new skill and even better I get to learn whilst wearing beautiful dresses made especially for me!”

Alongside appearing in EastEnders, Rose is known for roles in Casualty and the Cold War drama Summer of Rockets.

Joining Rose and Nina on this year’s show are Peep Show actor Robert Webb, BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker and McFly singer Tom Fletcher.

Strictly is due to broadcast on the BBC in the autumn.

Photo: BBC.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is a Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.