Rose Ayling-Ellis QUITS EastEnders: Show’s first deaf actress confirms she’s bowing out as Frankie Lewis following her Strictly win and says her exit storyline will be an ‘important one’
- Rose was the first deaf actor to play a regular deaf character on EastEnders and has been part of a number of major storylines
- The actress will bow out this autumn and has already filmed her final scenes on the long-running BBC1 soap opera
- It was first reported that Rose could be leaving the show back in December after her Strictly Come Dancing win
- Since raising her profile on Strictly the actress has pushed to raise awareness of British Sign Language
Rose Ayling-Ellis is set to depart her role as Frankie Lewis in EastEnders later this year after joining the show back in 2020.
Rose was the first deaf actor to play a regular deaf character on EastEnders and has been part of a number of major storylines including the discovery that she is Mick’s daughter after he was abused as a child.
The actress will bow out this autumn and has already filmed her final scenes.
Rose said: ‘It’s 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.
Rose Ayling-Ellis QUITS EastEnders: The show’s first deaf actress is bowing out as Frankie Lewis following her Strictly success and says her exit storyline will be an ‘important one’
‘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.’
Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer, said: ‘I have only had the pleasure to work with Rose for a short time but she has always been an incredible asset to EastEnders; not just as a phenomenal actor, but as an amazing company member too.
Moving on? It was first reported that Rose could be quitting the show back in December after winning this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing with Giovanni Pernice
Farewell Rose: The actress will bow out this autumn and has already filmed her final scenes
‘As part of the Carter family, Rose has shone in important narratives such as discovering she’s Mick Carter’s daughter as a result of child abuse; and she will soon tackle the important issue highlighting women’s safety on the streets.
‘We at EastEnders are incredibly proud of everything Rose has achieved – she’s a real trailblazer, and we wish her every success.’
The actress was rumoured to be leaving the BBC1 soap last December, shortly after winning the 19th series of Strictly Come Dancing with Italian ballroom specialist Giovanni Pernice.
But sources close to Rose denied she was parting ways with her co-stars, telling MailOnline: ‘There is no truth in these rumours, Rose has no intention to quit EastEnders and is very much looking forward to filming again in the New Year.’
Rose’s role in EastEnders had been written out until January, when she returned to Albert Square and the fictional borough of Walford.
Moving on: The actress was rumoured to be leaving the BBC1 soap last December, shortly after winning the 19th series of Strictly Come Dancing with Italian ballroom specialist Giovanni
New move: Rose recently scored another achievement for the deaf community by starring in the first ever hearing impaired Barbie doll campaign
Since raising her profile on Strictly the actress raised awareness of British Sign Language and has championed a Private Member’s Bill that would give recognition to signing.
Although BSL was recognised as a language in its own right by the Government in 2003, it has no legal protection.
She told the Big Issue: ‘If it becomes an official language, which we’ve been fighting for all these years, it will be so emotional for us.
‘Because of the massive interest in BSL recently, a lot of people don’t realise how much of a fight the deaf community have had.’
Rose has also scored another achievement for the deaf community by starring in the first ever hearing impaired Barbie doll campaign.
The actress, who has been deaf since birth, posed alongside the new diverse doll Rose, Barbie & Friends in a new promotional launch this week.
Rose, who learnt British sign language (BSL) as a young child, explained how ‘thrilled’ she is by the campaign.
She said: ‘It’s so important for children to be able to see themselves represented in the toys they play with.
‘When I was little, I would draw hearing aids onto my Barbie dolls to make them look like me, so I am thrilled that Mattel is releasing more dolls that encourage kids to celebrate and embrace their differences!’
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