Strictly winner lands major new show with BBC after NTAs nomination
A STRICTLY Come Dancing winner has landed themselves a major new role at the BBC after lifting the glitterball trophy.
After becoming one of the most beloved champions ever in the dancing competition, now they’re focusing on a cause close to their heart.
Former EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, who was partnered with Giovanni Pernice during her run on Strictly, will be trying her hand at presenting for the new series, which will focus on British Sign Language (BSL).
The star, who was born deaf, has been a fierce advocate for the community since her first appearance on EastEnders.
After fronting documentary Signs For Change last year, which was nominated for a National Television Award, a follow-up show has been green-lit by the BBC.
It is hoped the show will be a boost for her cause, calling for better inclusivity and free BSL classes for families who have deaf children.
A source told The Mirror: “Rose is so passionate about raising awareness and it is wonderful for us to be a part of programmes like this. It is an opportunity to really do some good.”
The news comes shortly after it was announced Rose will be awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honour’s List for her contribution to entertainment and voluntary services to the deaf community.
Rose has been advocating for better access to BSL since she first appeared on EastEnders back in 2020.
She played Frankie Lewis/Carter, the daughter of Danny Dyer’s Mick Carter and the result of the child abuse he suffered at the hands of his former care worker, Katy Lewis.
In 2021, she joined the cast of Strictly, and lifted the glitterball alongside Giovanni at the end of that season, beating Great British Bake Off’s John Whaite in a tense finale.
Her appearance on the show saw a sharp increase in interest to learn BSL by up to 2,844%.
She and Giovanni won a BAFTA the following year for the public-voted ‘moment of the year’ for a contemporary routine to Clean Bandit’s Symphony – which included a section performed in complete silence to highlight life as a deaf person.
Giovanni has notably had BSL interpreters join him on his UK stage tours ever since in honour of Rose’s fight for better inclusivity.
This year, he has been removed from the cast line-up of Strictly Come Dancing, after three of his past celebrity partners filed official complaints against him for his behaviour towards them in the rehearsal room.
Rose has yet to comment about the development, but is not believed to be one of the complainants.
