Available to book
Rose Ayling-Ellis
Explore how to foster inclusivity and challenge perceptions in media and beyond with Rose Ayling-Ellis, speaker, actor and advocate for deaf inclusion.
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.
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frequently asked questions
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To book Rose Ayling-Ellis, email rose.ayling.ellis@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Rose's availability and speaking fee. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and about your audience.
Rose Ayling-Ellis draws on her personal experience as a deaf BSL user to illustrate the barriers and breakthroughs in deaf representation, grounding her talks in specific career milestones such as her silent Strictly Come Dancing performance and her lead role in Code of Silence.
Rose Ayling-Ellis MBE speaks on deaf inclusion and representation, communication across barriers, and identity in the arts. She was appointed MBE for her services to the deaf community and holds a BAFTA Television Award for Must-See Moment, won following her silent performance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 as the show's first deaf contestant.
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