Rose Ayling-Ellis – Deaf actress, Strictly winner and BSL advocate

Rose Ayling-Ellis is an English actress, television presenter, and children’s author. She is best known for playing Frankie Lewis on the BBC soap EastEnders and for winning the nineteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 alongside professional dancer Giovanni Pernice. Deaf since birth, she has become a prominent advocate for British Sign Language (BSL) and deaf inclusion across the UK.

Born on 17 November 1994 in Shepway, Kent, Ayling-Ellis discovered her passion for acting at a filming event organized by the National Deaf Children’s Society. She later earned a degree in fashion design from the University for the Creative Arts in Surrey in 2016 before embarking on her television career.

Is Rose Ayling-Ellis deaf?

Yes, Rose Ayling-Ellis has been deaf since birth. She uses British Sign Language (BSL) as her primary means of communication and has consistently used her public platform to advocate for greater recognition of BSL and improved accessibility for deaf people.

Key facts about her deafness and identity

• Ayling-Ellis has been deaf since birth and communicates using BSL.
• She is the first deaf actress to play a regular deaf character who uses BSL on EastEnders.
• Her silent couple’s-choice performance on Strictly Come Dancing became a defining moment that drew significant public attention to the deaf experience.
• She has urged the UK government to improve support for people with disabilities and to make sign language lessons more accessible.
• She received an MBE in 2023 for her contributions to the deaf community, as reported by The Guardian.
• In 2025, the BBC reported that she was awarded an honorary doctorate.
• She participates in BBC projects promoting sign language, including teaching BSL to older adults in the programme Old Hands, New Tricks.

Snapshot biography

Who is Rose Ayling-Ellis’s partner?

Rose Ayling-Ellis keeps her personal life carefully guarded. As of the available information from official sources, her current partner details are not publicly confirmed on any major biographical platforms, including Wikipedia, BBC profiles, or IMDb. No official statement regarding a romantic partner or marital status has been made through her verified channels. Claims about a partner or marriage remain speculative and are not supported by verified sources.

Did Rose Ayling-Ellis win Strictly Come Dancing?

Yes, Rose Ayling-Ellis won the nineteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2021. She was paired with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, and their victory made history: Ayling-Ellis became the first deaf contestant to win the competition.

Her journey on the show included a particularly memorable couple’s-choice dance performed in complete silence. The BBC reports that this performance became a landmark cultural moment, with several sources noting that it won a BAFTA recognition as the public’s “Must-See Moment” of that year. The performance was widely praised for giving hearing audiences a tangible sense of the deaf experience.

For readers interested in other Strictly champions, the Vito Coppola – Strictly Champion, Age, Dance Background and More article offers a direct connection to another winner of the show.

Was Rose Ayling-Ellis in EastEnders?

Yes, Rose Ayling-Ellis played the character Frankie Lewis on the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2020 to 2022. The BBC notes that this role was historic: Ayling-Ellis was the show’s first deaf actress to play a deaf character who uses British Sign Language.

Before and after her time on EastEnders, Ayling-Ellis appeared in other television productions, including Casualty, Summer of Rockets, Doctor Who, and The One Show. Her role in Doctor Who provides a connection to another British actress with a similar career path; readers may find the Bonnie Langford: Biography, Age, Doctor Who, Partner & Net Worth article relevant in this regard.

What are her major 2025 projects?

In 2025, Ayling-Ellis starred in two major drama projects: Code of Silence and Reunion.

Code of Silence is an ITV crime drama in which she plays Alison Brooks, a deaf character who uses lip-reading to follow criminals’ conversations. The role represents a significant step forward for Ayling-Ellis as a lead in a primetime drama series.

Reunion is another 2025 drama project. According to Wikipedia, her performance in Reunion earned her a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Full plot and cast details beyond the title and her nomination are not widely available in the sources consulted.

What books has Rose Ayling-Ellis written?

Rose Ayling-Ellis is described as a writer of children’s books. According to IMDb trivia, she wrote a book titled Marvellous Messages, which was due for release in March 2025. A 2025 BBC report also refers to her as a children’s author. A full, confirmed list of her published book titles should be verified through her official publisher or her verified Instagram announcements for the most accurate information.

How tall is Rose Ayling-Ellis?

Rose Ayling-Ellis’s exact height has not been officially confirmed by herself or by major outlets such as Wikipedia, the BBC, or IMDb. Various fan resources and third-party websites offer differing figures, but none of these are supported by a verified primary source. The most accurate statement is that her height is not publicly listed on any of the official biographical sources consulted for this article.

Career timeline: Key milestones

1. 1994: Born on 17 November in Shepway, Kent.
2. Early 2000s: Discovers acting at a National Deaf Children’s Society filming event.
3. 2020: Cast as Frankie Lewis in the BBC soap EastEnders — her first significant television role.
4. 2021: Wins Strictly Come Dancing with Giovanni Pernice, making history as the first deaf winner of the competition.
5. 2022: Leaves EastEnders and begins developing her acting and presenting career further.
6. 2023: Receives an MBE for her contributions to the deaf community; publishes children’s books; advocates for BSL in schools.
7. 2025: Stars in new projects Code of Silence and Reunion; receives a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actress; awarded an honorary doctorate.

What is confirmed and what remains unclear?

What does Rose Ayling-Ellis’s public image represent?

Rose Ayling-Ellis has built a public image grounded in authenticity and visibility. She has used her platform not simply for celebrity but for systemic change, particularly around deaf awareness and British Sign Language. Her Strictly win challenged common assumptions about deafness, music, and dance within an audio-centric medium. Transitioning from a long-running soap opera to primetime entertainment and then to authored books reflects a strategic career architecture that prioritizes meaningful representation. Her social media content, including the widely shared challenge of teaching a retirement village to sign, demonstrates a growing public demand for authentic, purpose-driven representation.

What do the sources say about her?

“Rose Lucinda Ayling-Ellis (born 17 November 1994) is an English actress, television presenter and writer of children’s books.”

— Wikipedia

“Born on the South East Coast, Rose discovered her passion for acting in her youth while at a filming event led by the National Deaf Children’s Society.”

— BBC Strictly Profile

“She is an actress and producer, known for Code of Silence (2025), Reunion (2025)…”

— IMDb

A final look at the actress and advocate

Rose Ayling-Ellis has established herself as a significant figure in British entertainment and disability advocacy. From her groundbreaking role on EastEnders and her historic Strictly Come Dancing victory to her work as a children’s author and her 2025 drama projects, she continues to expand her influence. Her advocacy for British Sign Language and deaf inclusion remains at the core of her public work. For more on fellow Strictly champions, the Vito Coppola – Strictly Champion, Age, Dance Background and More article offers further context on dancers who have won the competition.

Frequently asked questions