The EastEnders and Strictly star on fake drowning, avoidance coping, and helping deaf children have more confidence
Born in Kent, Rose Ayling-Ellis, 29, acted in EastEnders from 2020 to 2022. She won Strictly in 2021, and got a Bafta for one of her performances. In 2022, she made her West End debut as Celia in As You Like It, and was Olivier-nominated for the role. She fronted a documentary called Signs for Change in 2023, and this year received an MBE for services to the deaf community. She presents Channel 4’s coverage of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games from 28 August, and features on Who Do You Think You Are on BBC One this autumn. She lives in London.
What is your greatest fear?
Loneliness.
