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'Strictly' winner Rose Ayling-Ellis thanks fans for support as she bows out of 'EastEnders'

Rose Ayling-Ellis played Frankie Lewis in the soap. (BBC)
Rose Ayling-Ellis played Frankie Lewis in the soap. (BBC)

Rose Ayling-Ellis has thanked fans for the "love and support" as she bows out of EastEnders.

The actor had played Frankie Lewis in the BBC soap since 2020 and was the show's first regular deaf cast member.

But last month she announced that it was time to move on, saying that although she would always "treasure" her time in Albert Square, she was "excited and ready for new challenges".

Read more: Strictly star Rose Ayling-Ellis 'so proud' to be role model as first deaf contestant

The soap tweeted a goodbye to the star before her final episode, saying how much she'd be missed.

EastEnders,12-09-2022,6554,Lola Pearce (DANIELLE HAROLD);Mick Carter (DANNY DYER);Frankie Lewis (ROSE AYLING-ELLIS),****EMBARGOED TILL TUESDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER 2022***, BBC, Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
The actor is leaving the soap. (BBC)

"Tonight we say goodbye to Frankie Lewis and the gorgeous @RoseAylingEllis!" they said.

"Walford won't be the same without you."

Ayling-Ellis retweeted in and wrote: "Thank you for all the love and support.

"I really appreciate it."

While the actor came into the public eye on the soap she really made her name on Strictly Come Dancing, which she won with pro Giovanni Pernice.

She was in the competition last year, becoming the first ever deaf contestant to take part in the BBC ballroom contest.

Programme Name: Strictly Come Dancing 2021 - TX: 18/12/2021 - Episode: n/a (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: ++LIVE SHOW++ Rose Ayling-Ellis, Giovanni Pernice - (C) BBC - Photographer: Guy Levy
Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice won Strictly. (BBC)

During her time on the show she won praise for a routine that she danced partly in silence to show what her experience of the show was like.

Earlier this year the star discovered that the late Queen had enjoyed watching Strictly and that members of the royal family had voted for her when she was a contestant.

Camilla, Queen Consort, said at an EastEnders set visit: "Rose, the Strictly star. I said we were all voting for Rose, I don't know how you did all those dances."

Read more: Rose Ayling-Ellis' silent dance nominated for TV Bafta

Ayling-Ellis then said: "Can I ask you, does the Queen watch Strictly Come Dancing?"

Camilla replied: "I think she does. She probably watched you."

Watch: Rose Ayling-Ellis denies rumours she's set to star in Doctor Who