The Strictly Come Dancing production team is reported to be learning sign language and undertaking specialised training in preparation for welcoming EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis to the show.
Rose is the BBC competition show’s first-ever deaf contestant and is one of 15 celebrities set to take the ballroom by storm when the series returns to TV screens on Saturday.
The star, who portrays Frankie Lewis on the soap, will be accompanied by an interpreter both in rehearsals and during the live episodes.
Executive producer Sarah James told the media: “I think already myself and the team have learned a lot from Rose. All of the team are doing deaf awareness training, which has been brilliant, and we’re learning some sign language, and that’s been brilliant as well.”
“Obviously, Rose will need an interpreter with her at all times so she will always have an interpreter with her in training. And then on the show, you may see an interpreter occasionally on camera – obviously she’ll need somebody to interpret the judge’s comments and her chats with Claudia (Winkleman).
“But other than that, I know that Rose is looking forward to the show just like everybody else and I can’t wait to see what she does.”
