Strictly Come Dancing 2021: 'This show has given me a purpose': Rose Ayling-Ellis leaves fans 'in tears' after she makes history as the show's first deaf contestant
She's making history as the first deaf contestant to grace the ballroom floor on Strictly Come Dancing.
And Rose Ayling-Ellis left many viewers on the brink of tears, as she used her platform on the show to introduce fans to sign language.
The EastEnders actress, 30, who has been paired with Giovanni Pernice, gushed while signing: 'When the Strictly news was announced, The response from the deaf community was my proudest moment.'
Important: Rose Ayling-Ellis used her platform on the show to further include audience-members - signing through her introduction at the start of the programme
She continued: 'I feel like Strictly has given me a purpose.'
'People just think that deaf people hear nothing, but that's not true. You hear with body language, with vibrations, with atmosphere. I can still enjoy music, it's just a different experience.'
Fans of the show took to Twitter to share their praise for the budding dancer, with some audience members even 'tearing up' as she signed during her performance.
Sweet: The EastEnders actress also revealed she would be enlisting the help of an interpretor throughout her time on the show
'So happy': Fans of the show took to Twitter to share their praise for the budding dancer, with some audience members even 'tearing up' as she signed during her performance
One Twitter user wrote: 'Seeing everyone sign is making me so happy I'm actually tearing up! You've got this Gi and Rose'.
Another wrote: 'Watching #StrictlyComeDancing. Rose Ayling-Ellis is very much succeeding at being the most amazing person on the planet! Everyone else is alright too I suppose.'
Even some of the viewers who didn't previously know Rose are rooting for her, with one penning: 'I didn't know her before today but already a little bit in love with Rose Ayling-Ellis #strictly'.
'Delighted': One member of the deaf community was 'delighted' by her performance, taking to Twitter
'Catching up now. How inspirational is Rose Ayling-Ellis? Absolutely amazing. Can't wait for the first proper show.'
One more fan simply wrote: 'Rooting for Rose Ayling-Ellis only.'
Another tweeted: '@bbcstrictly Permission to Dance BTS... excellent choice and the original dance incorporates Sign Language and with Rose Ayling-Ellis being part of the show makes it that extra special'.
One member of the deaf community was 'delighted' by her performance, writing: 'I am so delighted to see Rose Ayling-Ellis on Strictly! Amazing role model for deaf children. I know our deaf students will love following her progress. Fantastic!'
'Inspirational': One home viewer said, 'How inspirational is Rose Ayling-Ellis? Absolutely amazing. Can't wait for the first proper show'
'Purpose': She continued, saying 'I feel like Strictly has given me a purpose'
Later on, while on the dancefloor chatting to Tess, actress Rose reiterated her earlier sentiments about the positivity she's had from the deaf community and added: 'Finally they see someone like them on Strictly!'
The soap star also introduced her interpreter for the first time, explaining that she would be there to help Rose to communicate.
Giovanni was unveiled as Rose's professional dance partner, and showed off some of the sign language he has learned, and continued to ask her to teach him at every opportunity.
'He's very open to teaching me in a new way!' gushed Rose to Claudia, before being told that they would be performing the jive as their first dance.
Unveiling: Giovanni was unveiled as Rose's professional dance partner on the show
Showing off: The pro even showed off some of the sign language he has learned, and continued to ask her to teach him at every opportunity
The actress, who plays Frankie Lewis, said she hopes by taking part in Strictly she will 'break down barriers' for the deaf community.
'To be the first deaf contestant on Strictly Come Dancing is sooooo exciting.. and a little bit scary,' Rose said.
'It is the hardest secret I have ever had to keep so it feels amazing to finally have this out in the open.
'I hope I will do the deaf community proud and break down more barriers. But I am also very excited to learn an incredible new skill and even better I get to learn whilst wearing beautiful dresses made especially for me.'
Breaking down barriers: The actress, who plays Frankie Lewis, said she hopes by taking part in Strictly she will 'break down barriers' for the deaf community
The news was first announced on EastEnders' Twitter page. The post said: 'We're unbelievably excited to announce that our very own @RoseAylingEllis will be joining the cast of @bbcstrictly 2021!
Take a look at our exclusive interview with @EmmaBarton and Rose. Good luck from all of us at #EastEnders, Rose!'
Rose is the first ever deaf actor to play a deaf character on the soap.
She has previously appeared in various stage productions, and her other TV credits include Summer of Rockets and Casualty. Rose use British Sign Language (BSL).
Exciting! 'I am also very excited to learn an incredible new skill and even better I get to learn whilst wearing beautiful dresses made especially for me'
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