Rose Ayling-Ellis

Rose Ayling-Ellis is an award-winning actor, presenter and writer who has become a leading figure in British entertainment and a prominent advocate for deaf inclusion. Deaf since birth and a British Sign Language user, Rose has broken barriers in television, theatre and broadcasting, challenging perceptions and improving representation across the media landscape. Her breakout role came in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, where she played Frankie Lewis, a character crafted to reflect deaf experiences. In 2021, she made history as the first deaf contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, winning the competition and capturing the public’s imagination with a silent performance that paid tribute to the deaf community. That moment was recognised with a British Academy Television Award for Must-See Moment and remains one of the show’s most talked-about highlights Rose began her journey into acting with the Deafinitely Youth Theatre and made her debut in a short film by deaf director Ted Evans. Since then, she has built a successful career across stage and screen. Her theatre work has earned her a nomination for a Laurence Olivier Award and a win for Best West End Debut at The Stage Debut Awards. She has appeared in Doctor Who, Reunion, and recently took on her first lead television role in Code of Silence, a ground-breaking crime drama centred on a deaf protagonist. Rose is also the presenter of two acclaimed BBC documentaries that explore deaf culture and identity, and in 2024, she became the first deaf person to present live sport on British television during the Paralympics. A published children’s author with a 10-book deal, Rose continues to use her platform to champion greater inclusivity in the arts and beyond. Appointed MBE for her services to the deaf community, Rose’s work reflects a deep commitment to representation and storytelling that resonates across audiences.