Rose Ayling-Ellis

Actor

Rose Ayling-Ellis is a deaf actress. Rose learnt British sign language (BSL) as a young child after her mother was motivated to improve their ability to communicate with each other and to immerse Rose in the deaf community. Since then, the deaf community and BSL have been integral to Rose and her identity.

In 2018, Rose was cast in Stephen Poliakoff’s Summer of Rockets for BBC Two, her first major television role. Theatre then came next, with Rose performing at the Royal Exchange Manchester and Birmingham Rep Theatre.

Rose joined the cast of EastEnders in 2020 and was the first deaf character to use BSL on the soap. Rose has firmly positioned herself as a much-loved figure on British television screens. This role has given her the platform to not only showcase her talents as an actor but has initiated the beginning of Rose firmly marking herself out as the role model she felt she lacked as a young person.

In 2021, Rose was propelled to the attention of the nation and wider industry as the first deaf contestant to appear on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. With her dance partner Giovanni Pernice, Rose went on to win the competition, lifting the glitterball at the end of the series.

As well as acting, Rose’s passions lie in sharing deaf culture and advocating for the deaf community, evidenced by her involvement in campaigning for the BSL Bill to be passed by government.