Rose Ayling-Ellis: 'Strictly' live tour will show sign language interpreter on big screen
Rose Ayling-Ellis has revealed the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour will feature a sign language interpreter projected onto the big screens for the whole audience to see.
The EastEnders actor - who won the latest series of the BBC dance show with her partner Giovanni Pernice - encouraged members of the deaf community to come along to the inclusive live tour in 2022.
Ayling-Ellis, 27 said: ”I’m delighted that every performance of the Strictly Live Tour will be signed by a BSL interpreter and put on to the screens so the whole audience will be able to see it.
Read more: 'Strictly' star Rose Ayling-Ellis 'so proud' to be role model as first deaf contestant
“With 33 shows across the country, I really hope this news encourages more deaf people of all ages to come and enjoy the show.”
Pernice has revealed that he has also been inspired to include a BSL interpreter on his own solo dance tour.
He told This Morning: "Rose opened my eyes. A lot of people want to come and watch the show I want to include them - I think it's about time. And also she is coming to watch the show. I want her to enjoy it."
The 2022 Strictly live tour will travel to Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Nottingham, London and Sheffield. It is scheduled for 33 shows between 20 January and 13 February, including four Sunday performances.
Camilla Arnold, series producer for the BBC’s long-running deaf community show See Hear, told The Guardian: “To have BSL access at every performance on the Strictly tour is a huge milestone for the deaf community, as we have, up to now, been restricted to very few dates with BSL access for performances and shows.
“This is such an exciting period for the deaf community, with Rose shining the torch for the deaf community.”
Ayling-Ellis made history as the first deaf contestant on the show, in which she counted to keep to the music.
And she won praise for her Couple's Choice dance Symphony by Clean Bandit ft. Zara Larsson, which featured a silent sequence in recognition of the fact the soap star is deaf.
Finalist Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite and semi-finalist, CBBC presenter Rhys Stephenson will also take part in the tour with their professional partners from the show.
TV presenter AJ Odudu - who was sadly robbed of her chance to compete in the final due to an injury - has had to pull out of the live tour as she is still wearing a support boot while she recovers from a torn ligament in her foot.
Also taking part in the tour are CBBC presenter Tilly Ramsay and Dragon's Den star Sara Davies and their professional dance partners.
The Wanted singer Max George, who competed in Strictly in 2020, will also join the tour, dancing with Katya Jones.
Read more: Rose Ayling-Ellis reveals she broke hearing aid during Strictly rehearsals
Strictly professionals Amy Dowden, Neil Jones, Luba Mushtuk and Jowita Przystal will also perform on the tour.
Watch: Rose Ayling-Ellis is the first deaf winner of Strictly Come Dancing