Rose Ayling-Ellis to present ‘hard-hitting’ BBC documentary on deaf discrimination

Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose Ayling-Ellis is to explore the “daily challenges, discrimination and barriers faced by deaf individuals” in a new BBC One and BBC iPlayer documentary series – the broadcaster has announced.

Rose, who last week confirmed she would be leaving EastEnders and the role of Frankie Lewis after two years, will meet “trailblazers” from the Deaf community, in a programme given the working title of Signs for Change.

A description of the series reads: “The documentary will allow Rose to explore positive movement for societal change and inclusion for deaf individuals. It will question if society is adapting fast enough to allow for equality amongst the deaf and hearing worlds by looking at Rose’s own experiences and encounters with people on the frontline, pushing for change.

“With plenty more still to be done in the fight for true inclusion for deaf people, Rose will meet trailblazers in the deaf community, emphasising the societal changes that can make a tremendous impact on people’s lives.”

Commenting on the upcoming programme, Rose said: “This documentary will be real, emotional and hard-hitting, and it is high time that the realities of deaf people in the UK were shared with a wider audience.

“My hope is to encourage people to look at our attitude as a society and to reflect on how we can improve the lives of deaf people. It will not paint me as an inspiration, but will instead lift the lid on the gritty stuff that we desperately need to confront.

The news comes ahead of Rose presenting the Alternative MacTaggart lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival on Friday afternoon – described as an “uncompromising speech” about working as a Deaf actress.

Rose said of the lecture: “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.”

A broadcast date for Signs for Change is yet to be announced.

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.