Rose Ayling-Ellis became the first deaf person to win the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. Rose and her partner Giovanni Pernice were both presented with the glitterball trophy on Saturday’s live final!

Rose and Gio lift the glitterball trophy - Photo credit: Guy Levy/BBC/PA

The deaf community have been keenly following Rose’s dancing journey, with all of Deafinitely Theatre’s staff, trustees and Youth Theatre participants supporting her progress each week. Rose joined Strictly to challenge stereotypes of what deaf people can and can’t do and is a fantastic role model for young deaf people.

Rose and Gio visit DYT workshop in November - Photo credit: Jasmine Whipps

Deafinitely are so proud to see what Rose has achieved since her time in Youth Theatre. She joined the DYT programme in 2012, performing in Mobile Phone, by Jim Cartwright and directed by Steve Webb, and The Ritual by Samir Yazbek, directed by Steve Webb. 

Later, Rose was involved in our HUB actors programme, a series of acting development workshops delivered in partnership with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.

We are really hopeful that Rose’s time in Strictly will mean more deaf representation in mainstream media in future.

Congratulations on your win and well done, Rose – we can’t wait to see what you will do next!