SOAP star Rose Ayling-Ellis has made history as the first deaf winner of Strictly Come Dancing.

The actress triumphed in the BBC One show alongside partner Giovanni Pernice, defeating Great British Bake Off star John Whaite and his partner Johannes Radebe, the first all-male pairing in the show’s history.

Ayling-Ellis, Strictly’s first deaf contestant, won over viewers with an emotional contemporary routine featuring 10 seconds of silence in tribute to the deaf community, which she will be performing again in the final.

Her success on the show has been credited with inspiring young deaf people and breaking down the stereotype that they cannot dance.

Sam Caiels, deaf studies coordinator at Hamilton Lodge – a school for deaf children in Brighton, said: “The Deaf Community has always valued BSL but now more and more people are realising this too. Hopefully the new interest in learning BSL will grow and grow.”

She said Ayling-Ellis has given deaf people “the confidence to believe in ourselves”.

Ms Caiels added that it was “such a proud moment” to see a video message from pupils and staff at Hamilton Lodge broadcast on Strictly in November.

Disability equality charity Scope has described Ayling-Ellis’s participation in the show as a “massive step forward” for disability representation.

After their couple’s choice dance, judge Shirley Ballas said: “I know in your heart you did it for the deaf community but for me you did this for every person watching this show. You are an inspirational young lady.”

Reacting to their win, Ayling-Ellis told Pernice: “I just want to say you’re so amazing, you pushed me to believe in myself more than I believed in myself.

“You’re an incredible teacher and a wonderful friend and we have gone through a lot, and I just want you to know you’ve always got a piece of my heart.”

Pernice expressed his joy saying: “Incredible. I have to say thank you to this beautiful young lady who made all my dreams come true.

“It took me seven years to get that thing and you became the best dancer, the best teammate I could have asked for, you are a dream so thank you for everything.”

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