Deaf actress Marlee Matlin has penned a moving tribute to Rose Ayling-Ellis after she won Strictly Come Dancing, saying the entire world is “so proud” of her.
EastEnders star Rose made history as the BBC show’s first ever deaf contestant and at the weekend she and pro Giovanni Pernice lifted the coveted Glitterball trophy.
US star Marlee, 56, previously competed on America’s Strictly equivalent Dancing With The Stars and said she knows how tough it is if you are deaf.
Sharing a picture of Rose and Giovanni on Instagram, she wrote: “Congratulations @rose.a.e on being the FIRST Deaf winner of @bbcstrictly! ! !
“The whole world is SO proud of you.”
(Image: Getty Images for FIJI Water)
The actress, who was on Dancing With The Stars in 2008, continued: “As a former contestant on @dancingabc I know how hard it is to compete, deaf or hearing but you showed them ALL how we can do anything! !
“You are a STAR!!
“And congratulations to your wonderful dance partner @pernicegiovann1!!!”
Marlee added the hashtag “#deafcandoanything” to her sweet post.
Rose, 27, beat former Bake Off winner John Whaite and his professional partner Johannes Radebe during Saturday night’s glittering final.
(Image: BBC/Guy Levy)
TV star AJ Odudu also made it to the final but had to pull out after injuring her leg.
After winning, Rose thanked the Strictly team for having her on the show.
“Thank you for making sure that everything was accessible for me so that I could focus on my dancing and my Strictly journey without worrying about how I would communicate,” she said.
“I felt that I could 100% be myself because of this and for that I am eternally grateful.
(Image: BBC/Guy Levy)
“Thank you to my team of interpreters who always put me first and made sure I understood everything at all times, they are such a beautiful group of women!
“Every person on Strictly works so hard to bring the show together and they are THE most creative people – costume, hair and makeup, choreography, props – every single individual gives it everything and I am in awe of how you managed it!”
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
