EastEnders Actress Rose Ayling-Ellis Announces Departure From Show After Two Years

EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis is set to leave the BBC show, it has been announced. 

The Strictly Come Dancing champion has said she will "treasure" her time on the hit soap, and she is "excited" for viewers to see her character's exit storyline.

The 27-year-old, who plays Frankie Lewis, made history as the first deaf actor to play a regular character on the show.

Since joining in 2020, she has been involved in a number of big storylines, including Frankie discovering her dad is Danny Dyer's character Mick Carter, who was abused as a child.

"It's been incredibly special to be EastEnders' first regular deaf actor," Ayling-Ellis said.

"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.

"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."

She made the comments in a farewell post on Instagram, which was accompanied by photos of her in Albert Square, and with co-stars Danny Dyer, Linda Henry, Charlie Brooks, Kellie Bright and Jane Slaughter.

Talking about how her character will leave the show, Ayling-Ellis said the storyline is a "really important one that will hit home for lots of people".

She has already filmed her final scenes and will leave this autumn, the BBC said.

Executive producer Chris Clenshaw said the EastEnders team are "incredibly proud" of everything Ayling-Ellis has achieved, describing her as a "trailblazer."

He added: "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."

Where else has Ayling-Ellis achieved success?

The actress won the Strictly's glitterball trophy last year alongside professional partner Giovanni Pernice, marking a historic win on the BBC One show as she became the first deaf contestant to take part.

The pair later won the must-see moment award at the BAFTAs for their silent dance.

Later this month, Ayling-Ellis will deliver the Alternative MacTaggart lecture at the Edinburgh Television Festival, where she will discuss her experiences as a deaf actress and life in the TV industry as a young person with a disability.

Ayling-Ellis, who has been deaf since birth, has been a pioneer for the deaf community, including campaigning for British Sign Language (BSL) to be recognised as an official language.

Earlier this week, she unveiled the first Barbie with behind-the-ear- hearing aids as part of the Rose, Barbie and Friends campaign.

She also recently became the first celebrity to sign a CBeebies bedtime story.

(c) Sky News 2022:

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