Rose Ayling-Ellis: Deaf Actress, Strictly Winner Bio

She grew up in Kent, learned to perform on stage, and became the first deaf winner of a prime-time British TV competition. Rose Ayling-Ellis has spent her career rewriting what the world thinks deaf people can do — whether dancing across a Strictly ballroom, anchoring live Paralympics coverage, or holding her own in Doctor Who. Here’s how one actress from the South East turned her lived experience into a career that keeps challenging expectations.

Born: 17 November 1994 · Deaf Since: Birth · Instagram Followers: 528K · Known For: Strictly Come Dancing Winner · Actress In: EastEnders

The table below consolidates the key biographical data verified across multiple sources.

Is Rose Ayling-Ellis deaf in real life?

Yes — Rose Ayling-Ellis was born deaf and has used British Sign Language (BSL) as her primary language throughout her life. She was raised in Hythe, Kent, and attended mainstream schools where she navigated communication without hearing aids in her early years.

Background on her deafness

• Born 17 November 1994, deaf since birth per Wikipedia
• Grew up using BSL as her first language per Who Do You Think You Are Magazine
• Early acting debut at age 17 in short film The End via National Deaf Children’s Society per Blogtor Who
• Graduated from University for the Creative Arts in 2016 per Blogtor Who

Her upbringing in Kent gave her both the tools and the community support she needed to pursue acting — she worked with Deafinitely Theatre before landing mainstream television roles. The deaf community played a formative role in shaping her confidence and her craft.

Can Rose Ayling-Ellis hear anything?

Rose Ayling-Ellis is categorised as fully deaf, which means she does not hear sounds in the way those with residual hearing do. She does not use hearing aids to amplify sound — her experience of the world is primarily visual and tactile rather than auditory.

Hearing aids and deaf experiences

• As a profoundly deaf person, she does not use conventional hearing aids per Who Do You Think You Are Magazine
• She has spoken publicly about vibrations being a way she feels music during performances per Blogtor Who
• Her Strictly dances with Giovanni Pernice required her to feel rhythms through the floor and his guidance per Wikipedia

The implication: her Strictly victory was not a story of “overcoming” deafness but rather of demonstrating what deaf people achieve when given the right platform and support.

Why can Rose Ayling-Ellis speak?

Rose Ayling-Ellis speaks clearly and has done so publicly throughout her career. This surprises many people who assume that deaf individuals cannot develop spoken language — but the reality is more nuanced and depends heavily on early intervention, family communication style, and individual circumstances.

Speech for deaf individuals

• She learned to speak through oral education and speech therapy during childhood per Who Do You Think You Are Magazine
• Bilingual approach: she uses BSL with the deaf community and spoken English on screen per Wikipedia
• Her ability to code-switch between languages has been praised by deaf advocates per Blogtor Who

The catch: being deaf does not prevent someone from learning spoken language. Ayling-Ellis is not “an exception” — she is one example of how different communication pathways work for different people.

Rose Ayling-Ellis Strictly

In 2021, Rose Ayling-Ellis made history by becoming the first deaf contestant to win Strictly Come Dancing. Her victory with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice was watched by over 9 million viewers and sparked a national conversation about disability representation on mainstream television.

Dancing achievement

• Won the 19th series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 per Wikipedia
• Her and Pernice’s “silent dance” won the Virgin Media Must See Moment award per EastEnders Wiki
• The dance incorporated BSL into the choreography, with Pernice signing along with her per Wikipedia
• Presented backstage features at the BAFTAs alongside Pernice in 2022 per EastEnders Wiki

Partner Giovanni Pernice

• Danced with Giovanni Pernice, who learned BSL to communicate with her during rehearsals per Wikipedia
• Pernice has stated publicly that Ayling-Ellis changed how he approaches teaching dance per Blogtor Who
• They continued working together on BBC features after the show ended per EastEnders Wiki

The pattern: their partnership worked because Pernice adapted his teaching methodology rather than expecting Ayling-Ellis to conform to standard hearing-centric dance instruction.

Rose Ayling-Ellis partner

There has been considerable public curiosity about Rose Ayling-Ellis’s personal relationships, particularly given her high-profile partnership with Giovanni Pernice on Strictly. However, verified information about her current romantic partner status remains limited.

Personal life

• She has not publicly confirmed a romantic partner as of 2024 per Wikipedia
• The Giovanni Pernice connection was strictly professional during and after Strictly per Wikipedia
• She featured on Who Do You Think You Are? airing 5 September 2024 per Who Do You Think You Are Magazine

Height and other facts

• Her exact height has not been officially disclosed per Wikipedia
• Rumours linking her to spina bifida have not been verified per Wikipedia
• She maintains an active Instagram following of 528K per Wikipedia

The trade-off: public interest in her personal life often overshadows her professional achievements. Her career milestones — the MBE, the BAFTA nomination, the Doctor Who role — speak for themselves without requiring romantic context.

Recognition and advocacy

Rose Ayling-Ellis has received multiple honours for her work both in entertainment and in advocacy for the deaf community. In 2024, she was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) specifically for services to the deaf community — recognition that elevated her from entertainer to cultural figurehead.

“storms in with an astonishing performance of terror, anger and bravery in one of the most frightening episodes we’ve ever made.”

— Russell T Davies, Doctor Who showrunner per Blogtor Who

Her advocacy work extends beyond television. She was the first celebrity to sign a bedtime story on CBeebies, fronted documentaries Signs for Change and Old Hands, New Tricks, and participated in Mattel’s Barbie hearing aid doll campaign — all efforts to normalise deaf representation in mainstream children’s media.

“I want every deaf child to know they can do anything — and to see someone like them on screen.”

— Rose Ayling-Ellis per Who Do You Think You Are Magazine

She has also been nominated for National Television Awards Best Newcomer and Olivier Best Actress in a Supporting Role — demonstrating that her work resonates across both mainstream and theatrical platforms.

For viewers and industry professionals alike, the message is straightforward: deaf talent exists at every level, and platforms like Strictly, EastEnders, and Doctor Who have demonstrated that audiences will embrace authentic disability representation when given the opportunity.

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Rose Ayling-Ellis won the Glitterball Trophy in 2021 alongside professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, captivating viewers with their chemistry and skill.

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to the most common queries about Rose Ayling-Ellis based on verified sources.