Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose Ayling-Ellis has revealed her next career move after quitting EastEnders. Earlier this month the actress announced that she will leave the BBC One soap after two years of playing Frankie Lewis.
The 27-year-old, who was the first deaf actor to play a regular character on the soap, said she'll "treasure" her time in Walford as her exit was confirmed. Since joining in 2020, Rose has been at the centre of big storylines including Frankie discovering she is the daughter of Danny Dyer’s character Mick Carter, who was abused as a child.
The Strictly Come Dancing winner, who won the 2021 series of the BBC dance contest alongside her professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice, has now announced a brand new TV venture.
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Rose is set to front a “hard-hitting” BBC documentary on the challenges, discriminations and barriers faced by the deaf community where she will explore positive movement for change and inclusion for deaf individuals.
The programme titled Signs For Change is part of a number of new BBC commissions announced at the Edinburgh TV festival on Thursday (August 25).
Speaking of her exciting new role, Rose said: “This documentary will be real, emotional and hard-hitting, and it is high time that the realities of deaf people in the UK were shared with a wider audience.
“My hope is to encourage people to look at our attitude as a society and to reflect on how we can improve the lives of deaf people.
“It will not paint me as an inspiration, but will instead lift the lid on the gritty stuff that we desperately need to confront.
“I have always admired the incredible, ground-breaking work of Rogan Productions, and I am thrilled to be working with James and the team to document my life, and to share what matters most to me.”
Emma Loach, BBC Commissioning Editor, said: “The impact Rose has had over the last few years is nothing short of remarkable.
“We are honoured to be working with Rose on this new BBC documentary which, by examining her own life and the experiences of others, will shed important light on the challenges still faced by deaf people in the UK.”
Speaking of her departure from EastEnders, Rose said it has been 'incredibly special' to be EastEnders’ first regular deaf actor.
"I have loved my time on the show and Frankie has been such an awesome character to play, however now feels like the right time for me to move on and I am excited and ready for new challenges," she said.
"I will always treasure my time on the show and all the incredible people I have worked with, who have supported my growth as an actor these last two years and given me so many amazing memories.
"I am excited for viewers to see Frankie’s exit storyline; I think it’s a really important one that will hit home for lots of people."
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