EastEnders and Strictly star Rose Ayling-Ellis signs up for "scary" new career challenge

"So excited to finally share this news!"

By Emma Tinson

18 Oct 2022

Former EastEnders star and Strictly Come Dancing’s reigning champion Rose Ayling-Ellis has announced her latest project.

Taking to social media to update her fans, the actress confirmed she’s signed up for a new career challenge.

Ayling-Ellis revealed she’d soon be returning to the stage and taking on a role in a famous Shakespeare play.

Sharing the news on Instagram, the former soap star posted a poster for Soho Place’s upcoming West End production of As You Like It.

"So excited to finally share this news!" Ayling-Ellis wrote, alongside the poster. "I am thrilled to be going back to theatre with this talented group of people.

"Scary thought to be performing Shakespeare for the very first time playing Celia. I’m feeling privileged to be able to do this in this incredible new space. Can’t wait to get creative @sohoplace."

Getty Images

Starring alongside Ayling-Ellis in the upcoming comedy production will be Leah Harvey, Alfred Enoch and Martha Plimpton.

The show is set to run for a limited season from Tuesday, December 6, 2022 until Saturday, January 28, 2023.

Upon seeing Ayling-Ellis’s post, friends, fans and colleagues of the actress flooded the comment section with congratulatory messages.

She even received some words of encouragement from some fellow Strictly stars, with her former dance partner Giovanni Pernice describing her as a "Legend".

rose ayling ellis, giovanni pernice, strictly come dancing 2021 winners

BBC

Strictly fans will remember Pernice and Ayling-Ellis won the hearts of the nation last year when they performed together in the BBC dance competition and went on to lift the famous Glitterball Trophy.

As well as winning the series, Ayling-Ellis made history on the show by becoming the first deaf celebrity to compete.

After being crowned Strictly champion, the actress returned to her role on EastEnders, but eventually left the soap in September 2022.

"It’s been incredibly special to be @bbceastenders first regular deaf actor," she wrote on Instagram, back in August. "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."

Soho Place's production of As You Like It begins its run on December 6, 2022.