EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis is said to be honoured by Her Majesty The Queen and awarded an MBE due to her work raising awareness of the deaf community.
The 27-year-old star has played Frankie Lewis on the BBC soap since 2020 and won herself legions of fans last year when she competed on Strictly Come Dancing and won.
Rose was the first ever deaf contestant on the hit BBC show and her presence on the series prompted fans to begin learning sign language while she also bagged the glitter ball trophy alongside 33-year-old dance pro Giovanni Pernice.
Rose is now expected to be named as a recipient of a Member of the Order of the British Empire in HM The Queen’s birthday honours list.
The Sun on Sunday reports: “She is now in the frame for a gong for services to the deaf community, thanks to her ballroom triumph on the BBC’s Strictly. Her performances – including one with a silent section – sent enrolments for sign-language courses soaring.”
And a source told the publication: “Her success on Strictly shone a light on the deaf community in a way that surpassed everyone’s expectations.
“Not only did she raise awareness about the challenges deaf people face, she was a true inspiration for them – particularly young people. She really did break down boundaries.”
It is perhaps not a surprise that Rose caught the attention of Her Majesty, The Queen, as it was revealed at the end of last week that the Monarch is a fan of Strictly.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, was visiting the set of EastEnders with Prince Charles on Friday when she came face-to-face with Rose and told her how much the Royal Family enjoyed watching her perform on the BBC show.
The Duchess gasped: “Rose, the Strictly star. I said we were all voting for Rose, I don't know how you did all those dances.”
Rose then plucked up the courage to ask: “Can I ask you, does the Queen watch Strictly Come Dancing?”
Camilla confirmed that the Monarch does, saying: “I think she does. She probably watched you.”
Speaking after meeting the Duchess of Cornwall, Rose said: “It was really funny because she's a huge fan of Strictly Come Dancing and she mentioned that she voted for me which is so lovely, and her grandchildren watch it.
“It is amazing, so lovely. I mean come on, its the Royal Family voting for me, sometimes you forget how many people watch the show, I am mind-blown.”
The next season of Strictly is expected to begin airing around August – with fans due to see Anton Du Beke returning to the judging panel once again after impressing bosses first with a brief appearance in the hot seat in 2020, and then as a full judge last year.
Fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood confirmed that Anton has effectively replaced Bruno Tonioli – who has not appeared on the show full time since 2019 as Covid and commitments to Dancing With The Stars in the USA kept him away form the UK.
Craig said: "I really love Anton. I think he is fantastic. I think last year he did a great job on Strictly as a judge. And we have just found out he is going to do it again this year."
The choreographer reportedly admitted he misses Bruno's "energy" on the panel.
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