As part of a ground-breaking new Paralympics coverage on Channel 4, former EastEnders star and Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose Ayling-Ellis has become the first deaf live sports broadcaster on British TV.
Winner of Strictly Come Dancing Rose Ayling-Ellis will front Channel 4’s Paralympic coverage alongside Claire Balding, making her the first deaf presenter on British TV history.
The 29-year-old is said to have already started rehearsing before the launch of the Games in Paris next week. One source told: “Channel 4 are really excited about this unique pairing of Clare and Rose. It’s a first for the Channel and takes its live broadcasting accessibility further than ever before. Rose has already done some rehearsals whilst Clare has been busy covering Wimbledon for the BBC, but we are excited by seeing them work together on screen and we are confident viewers will love them together too.”
Rose is also believed to be looking for love following her split from long-term partner Samuel Arnold back in 2022. It was reported Rose – whose acting credits include having played Frankie Lewis on EastEnders – is open to dating following the apparent break-up. She’s said to have signed up for membership-based dating app Raya. The platform has been associated with various celebrities over the years. Lily Allen ‘s shared that she met actor David Harbour, who’s now her husband, on the app, for example, whilst fellow singer Una Healy has said that she’s used it. Rose has now signed up for a profil, with her occupation listed as “actress”. The outlet reports that she describes her interests as “art and design, skiing and beach”. She’s said to have added that she works in the TV industry and her profile reportedly features various photos, including showing her at a festival and on holiday.
It was reported that Rose had separated from her long-term partner Samuel in September 2022. They were said to have “drifted apart,” particularly because of her work schedule in the months leading up to their separation. Rose had competed on Strictly Come Dancing the previous year and ended up winning the BBC show after reaching the final with her dance partner Giovanni Pernice. And she then went on tour with the show the following year.
Discussing the apparent break-up, a source told: “It’s very amicable and they’ll remain close friends, but unfortunately, there is no future for them romantically.” The source added: “They spent a lot of time apart while Rose was away on tour, which has had an impact.” The source went on to suggest that both Rose and Samuel had found the situation “difficult” but felt that it was the “right” decision to split up. The source said: “It’s been difficult for them both, of course, but they’re certain it’s the right move.”
The end of the relationship was referenced in an interview that Rose did with the Telegraph just months later in December that year. Whilst speaking to the outlet, the actor reflected on having met her ex, saying at the time: “I felt, from the start, like I had known him for a very, very long time … if that’s part of what ‘love at first sight’ can mean?”
