Rose Ayling-Ellis

Rose Ayling-Ellis is a British actress and the first deaf contestant to compete in Strictly Come Dancing. Born in 1994, she is best known for playing Frankie Lewis in EastEnders. In 2021, she won Strictly with Giovanni Pernice, making history as the show’s first deaf champion. Her "silent dance" performance became one of the most memorable moments in Strictly history, raising awareness about the deaf community. Since her win, she has continued acting and advocating for accessibility in the arts. Ayling-Ellis remains a trailblazer for inclusivity, inspiring many within and beyond the deaf community. More on Wikipedia.