Rose Ayling-Ellis to deliver Alternative MacTaggart lecture on life as a Deaf actress

EastEnders actress and Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose Ayling-Ellis will deliver the prestigious Alternative MacTaggart address at the Edinburgh TV Festival, it has been announced.

Rose is understood to give an “uncompromising speech” about working as a Deaf actress, in what’s been considered a “timely follow-up” to last year’s MacTaggart lecture from disabled screenwriter Jack Thorne.

She said of the news: “It is a privilege to be able to use my platform to raise awareness and understanding of the deaf community.

“It is vital that we keep talking about the realities faced by those with disabilities in the industry, and I am so thrilled to be given the opportunity to address these important issues at this year’s lecture.”

First launched in 1997, previous Alternative MacTaggart speakers include presenters Ant and Dec, Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon, Professor Brian Cox and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

A description of the lecture states: “[It] gives a unique platform to a media visionary to help shape debate in the global television industry from an alternative perspective.”

The Edinburgh TV Festival is due to take place from 24 to 26 August.

Photo: BBC.

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